The advent of increasingly sophisticated and potentially autonomous forms of artificial intelligence poses a challenge to understandings of the human place in the cosmos in ways perhaps as profound as the Copernican Revolution. And while artificial general intelligence is not yet and may never be a reality, digital technologies are already introducing powerful new possibilities for deception, surveillance, and bias, exacerbating polarization, and changing the meaning of intimacy, care, creativity, and work. This conference brings together theologians, ethicists and philosophers of religion to reflect on the profound ways in which AI is transforming our sense of selfhood and agency, our interpersonal relationships, and our societies. How is the Spirit at work in this new thing? And how can we ensure that digital technologies serve a more flourishing human and creaturely future?
Conference organizers: jennifer.herdt@yale.edu(link sends e-mail) john.pittard@yale.edu(link sends e-mail); kathryn.tanner@yale.edu(link sends e-mail)
The conference will feature three keynote talks, alongside three core panels addressing themes of Creation, Fall and Redemption, and Communion and Eschatological Consummation. There will also be a graduate student panel to launch the conference.
David Bentley Hart, William Schweiker, and Manuel Vargas
Creation: questions of theological anthropology and AI consciousness and personhood
Fall and Redemption: ethical/social issues raised by our current life with digital technologies, and grappling with issues of human de-skilling deception, bias, exploitation, surveillance, and disinformation
Communion and Eschatological Consummation: the nature of care and intimacy, the meaning of work and leisure and worship, posthuman futures
A room block is being reserved at a local hotel. Please check back in January 2025 for details.
Alongside invited faculty talks, the conference will feature a graduate student panel. Applications are welcomed from theologians, ethicists, and/or philosophers of religion addressing the conference themes. The conference registration fee will be waived for graduate student panelists.
Submit your abstract using our online form.
Abstract submission (500 words) deadline: September 1, 2024
Acceptance notification date: October 15, 2024
