Exploring Religious Dimensions in A.I. and Humanity explores how the phenomenal advancements of artificial intelligence can reshape our spiritual journeys and influence established ethical frameworks. Very Reverend Dr. Aristarchos Gkrekas offers insights grounded in deep religious understanding. Nicholas Kokkinos provides insightful analyses of the ethical implications of emerging technologies and the potential for AI to serve as a dynamic repository of religious knowledge. Through years of collaboration, both authors sought a common approach to navigate the exponential growth of technology and its impact on humanity's enduring questions about consciousness, ethics, and spirituality. This book is an essential read for those intrigued by the evolving dialogue between technology and spirituality and is enriched by references to centuries-old texts. It promises to ignite curiosity and spark a deeper understanding of our digital age's spiritual dimensions and the ethical questions that arise from these phenomenal developments.
We live in an age of rapid technological advancement. Never before has humankind wielded so much power over our own biology. Biohacking, the attempt at human enhancement of physical, cognitive, affective, moral, and spiritual traits, has become a global phenomenon. This textbook introduces religious and ethical implications of biohacking, artificial intelligence, and other technological changes, offering perspectives from monotheistic and karmic religions and applied ethics. These technological breakthroughs are transforming our societies and ourselves fundamentally via genetic modification, tissue engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, the merging of computer technology with human biology, extended reality, brain stimulation, and nanotechnology. The book also considers the extreme possibilities of mind uploading, cryonics, and superintelligence. Chapters explore some of the political, economic, sociological, and psychological dimensions of these advances, with bibliographies for further study and questions for discussion. The technological future is here – and it is up to us to decide its moral and religious shape.
In "Sacred Threads: Navigating the Depths of Religious Experience," author Mufti Ruhul Amin Mahmudi invites readers on a captivating exploration of the profound impact of religion on human existence. Through four insightful chapters, readers journey from the origins of faith to the complexities of moral philosophy, from the tapestry of religious expression to the paradoxical nature of religious conflict. With eloquent prose and deep insight, this book illuminates the universal longing for meaning and connection, offering a vision of a world where the sacred threads of human existence are honored and celebrated. "Sacred Threads" is a compelling and timely reminder of the enduring power of faith to inspire compassion, foster understanding, and guide humanity towards a future filled with hope and possibility.
Humans are unique in their ability to reflect on themselves. Recently a number of scholars have pointed out that human self-conceptions have a history. Ideas of human nature in the West have always been shaped by the interplay of philosophy, theology, science, and technology. The fast pace of developments in the latter two spheres (neuroscience, genetics, artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering) call for fresh reflections on what it means, now, to be human, and for theological and ethical judgments on how we might shape our own destiny in the future. The leading scholars in this book offer fresh contributions to the lively quest for an account of ourselves that does justice to current developments in theology, science, technology, and philosophy.
Philosophical understandings of Nature and Human Nature. Classical Greek and modern West, Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, by 14 authors, including Robert Neville, Stanley Rosen, David Eckel, Livia Kohn, Tienyu Cao, Abner Shimoney, Alfred Tauber, Krzysztof Michalski, Lawrence Cahoone, Stephen Scully, Alan Olson and Alfred Ferrarin. Dedicated to the phenomenological ecology of Erazim Kohák, with 10 of his essays and a full bibliography. Overall theme: on the question of the moral sense of nature.
In Our Image brilliantly illuminates who we are as humans by demonstrating the surprisingly deep parallels between our motivations to replicate ourselves through computer technology and our emerging understanding of ourselves as relational beings created in God's image. This book is required reading for anyone--Christian or non-Christian--intrigued by the possibility of artificial intelligence.
This book focuses on the idea of the imago Dei to engaging theologically with artificial intelligence (AI). It reflects on how enormous progress in the development of AI has raised some challenges to Christian theology. Questions explored include: is AI created in the imago Dei? If so, does AI challenge the uniqueness of the human being as the imago Dei? If not, could AI be incorporated into human communities as a human companion in the same way as a natural human person? Would AI eventually develop to have human-level consciousness and be capable of performing liturgies and ethical actions? Bringing to light the radical distinction between the imago Dei and the imago hominis, the book constructs a theo-ontological foundation for AI and draws on the Reformed theology of archetype–ectype as a metaphysical tool to deploy a holistic account of the imago Dei in theology–AI dialogues. The author argues that the imago Dei is the signifier of the beginning both of God–human stories and stories of human ethical performances towards others. From the perspective of the image of the imago Dei, it can be argued that AI can somehow participate into the narration of these religious and ethical stories. This book will be of particular interest to scholars of theology and those working in the field of religion and science/technology.
**Discover the Future Where Faith Meets Superintelligence** In a world teetering on the brink of unparalleled technological advancement, "Beyond Eden: Ethics, Faith, and the Future of Superintelligent AI" emerges as a crucial guide for navigating the promises and perils of superintelligent artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking book invites you on a journey through the ethical, philosophical, and spiritual landscapes that AI is transforming at an unprecedented pace. **A Harmonious Blend of Faith and Reason** Crafted by a leading voice in Christian ethics in the AI landscape, this book serves as a beacon for Christians and the general public alike, offering deep insights into the intersection of faith and technology. It explores the profound questions raised by the development of superintelligent AI: from the risks of existential catastrophes to the potential for AI to redefine our understanding of consciousness, identity, and our place in the universe. **Navigating the Ethical Maze** With clarity and foresight, "Beyond Eden" delves into the alignment problem, presenting the challenges of ensuring that AI systems can safely and beneficially coexist with humans. It offers a comprehensive overview of technical approaches to AI alignment, governance, and policy considerations, ensuring that readers grasp the complexities of steering superintelligence towards outcomes that enhance human flourishing. **A Vision of Hope and Caution** The book does not shy away from worst-case scenarios, providing a sobering look at potential futures where AI goes awry. Yet, it balances this caution with optimism, showcasing the transformative potential of AI to solve global challenges and enrich human life, provided we approach its development with responsibility, inclusiveness, and moral integrity. **For the Faithful and the Curious** "Beyond Eden" bridges the gap between faith-based perspectives and secular ethical considerations, offering a multifaceted view of AI's impact on society. It invites believers to reflect on the moral dimensions of technology and encourages the broader public to consider the spiritual implications of creating entities that might one day surpass our own intelligence. **A Call to Action** This book is more than an exploration of future possibilities; it is a call to action for researchers, policymakers, ethicists, and the public to engage in ongoing dialogue about the direction of AI development. It underscores the need for a proactive approach to AI safety and alignment, urging all stakeholders to contribute to a future where superintelligent AI serves as a partner and guide for humanity's continued growth and well-being. Embark on this enlightening journey with "Beyond Eden: Ethics, Faith, and the Future of Superintelligent AI" and join the conversation on how we can navigate the coming age of superintelligence with wisdom, ethics, and faith at our side.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to appear in everything from writing, social media, and business to wartime or intelligence strategy. With so many applications in our everyday lives and in the systems that run them, many are demanding that ethical implications are considered before any one application of AI goes too far and causes irreparable damage to the personal data or operations of individuals, governments, and organizations. For instance, AI that is fed data sets that are influenced by human data collection method biases may be perpetuating societal biases with implicit bias that can create serious consequences. Applications of AI with implicit bias on recidivism prediction models as well as medical algorithms have shown biases against certain racial or ethnic groups, leading to actual discrimination in treatment by the legal system and the medical systems. Regulatory groups may identify the bias in AI but not the source of the bias, making it difficult to determine who to hold accountable. Lack of dataset and programming transparency can be problematic when AI systems are used to make significant decisions, and as AI systems become more advanced, questions arise regarding responsibility for the results of their implementation and the regulation thereof. Research on how these applications of AI are affecting interpersonal and societal relationships is important for informing much-needed regulatory policies. Investigating the Impact of AI on Ethics and Spirituality focuses on the spiritual implications of AI and its increasing presence in society. As AI technology advances, it raises fundamental questions about our spiritual relationship with technology. This study emphasizes the need to examine the ethical considerations of AI through a spiritual lens and to consider how spiritual principles can inform its development and use. This book covers topics such as data collection, ethical issues, and AI and is ideal for educators, teacher trainees, policymakers, academicians, researchers, curriculum developers, higher-level students, social activists, and government officials.
