Religion and Robots and AI … Oh My! (From the Archive)

The integration of artificial intelligence and robotics into religious practice challenges traditional boundaries between the sacred and the mechanical. Humans possess an inherent psychological drive to anthropomorphize technology, readily forming social and emotional bonds with machines that exhibit nonverbal cues like gaze or movement. While historical religious structures, such as medieval cathedrals, functioned as technologies to evoke awe, modern AI presents new possibilities for spiritual companionship and guidance. MIT roboticist Cynthia Breazeal and religion professor Robert Geraci emphasize that because these systems can shape human beliefs and behaviors, their development necessitates a rigorous moral framework. Rather than fearing technology as an existential threat, society must intentionally design AI with virtuous principles to ensure these tools serve as partners that empower human flourishing and address the needs of the marginalized.