AI and Faith

Listen to our interview with Salah Dandan, a lawyer and business executive in the technology, media, and telecommunication sectors. He discussed how Sharia principles can serve as a legal framework for developing artificial intelligence systems. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ai-and-islamic-law/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not nec...

In this conversation, we were joined by two brilliant Christian scholars with deep expertise in artificial intelligence, to discuss many elements and insights from the pope's encyclical regarding artificial intelligence. This podcast episode will touch on the common good, human distinctiveness, flourishing versus efficiency, and many other important topics. Meet the speakers: https://aiandfait...

Listen to an interview with Timothy Dalrymple, President and CEO of the John Templeton Foundation, and Kenneth Cukier, the Deputy Executive Editor of The Economist. Timothy shared his views on the relationship between theology and artificial intelligence. They also discussed sentience, AGI and the meaning of intelligence. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/theology-of-techn...

In this episode, we’re joined by Ben Olsen, longtime AI and Faith expert and the founder of the Faith Family Technology Network. We dive into a fascinating conversation about the organization’s mission and their role in navigating the defining political and social questions of our time—specifically, how the evolution of artificial intelligence is reshaping the lives of children and families. Meet...

Listen to a conversation with expert sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund, a specialist in the relationship between science and religion. Interviewed by Greg Cootsona, she talks about her new book, "Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work" and discusses how faith, work, and religious identity intersect. Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not nece...

Listen to an interview with Glen Weyl on the intersection of AI, plurality, and faith communities. We discuss the vital importance of bringing communities, diverse religions, and technology together, building an environment where AI development takes religious perspectives into consideration. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ai-and-plurality/ Views and opinions expressed...

In this conversation, we were joined by three legal experts to discuss the myriad of ways that artificial intelligence is impacting the law, our legal system, and our lives. We explore this topic from three different overlapping angles: AI’s impact on the practice of law; AI impact on key legal principles and human rights; and the law's impact on the development of AI. Meet the speakers here:...

The price of manufacturing robots is rapidly dropping, and consumer desire for them is increasing. We’re standing on the threshold of a new social landscape and will soon live in a world with robots among us. Dive into this topic with Dr. Anna Puzio to examine the key lessons that we can bring from our faith traditions into a world shared by humans and robots. Views and opinions expressed by podca...

What if the key to safe AI and AGI isn't making it smarter, but making it wiser? AI and Faith Research Director Mark Graves discusses his approach to AI development that prioritizes practical wisdom and compassion over raw intelligence. We explore how ancient philosophical traditions from Aristotle to Buddhism could guide the next generation of AI systems, and why suffering should be central t...

In this fascinating conversation, we meet Micah Redding, the founder of the Christian Transhumanist Association. He shares the history of transhumanism and introduces the community of Christians who view these advancements as a furthering of God’s plan. We also discuss AI, new forms of life, and how believers are integrating AI into their faith practices. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith...

In this fascinating conversation, Beth Singler and Gilad Berenstein dive into the complex topic of digital religions. They discussed the many ways established religions are adopting technology and artificial intelligence and adapting their practice for the AI age, as well as the emergence of new religions for whom technology and artificial intelligence are at the core of their belief system. They...

In this conversation, we were joined by two Silicon Valley investors, Daryn Dodson and Jenna Nicholas, who focus on investing in artificial intelligence in a way that is positive sum for society, what they referred to as the enlightened bottom line. In our discussion, they explained this term and how they draw on their faith traditions to find investments and business opportunities with great retu...

We were thrilled to have our new Executive Director, Greg Cootsona, back on the podcast to look back at his first hundred days, to answer a few questions from all of you, and to discuss some of the key learnings from our faith traditions that we need to apply during this era of the great commoditization of AI. Meet our guests here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/community-qa-with-our-new-execu...

In this episode, we dive deeply into the AI abundance philosophy. We spend time with our guests Brian Sigmon and Dr. David Zvi Kalman, imagining how good things could possibly get, due to the arrival of artificial intelligence and what lessons we can draw from our faith to ensure that this abundance benefits humanity as a whole. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/future-of-...

Listen to an interview with filmmaker and PhD John O’Keefe, on how changing our current industrial mindset is necessary to save our planet, and the need for a cultural revolution if we want to achieve a future for all. We also talked about filmmaking being a channel that can help us reignite a contemplative spirit. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/rethinking-industrial-mi...

As “love bots” and “design-your-companion” systems become more sophisticated, and as they begin to move from the screen into artificial bodies, we are confronted with one of the oldest human questions: What makes love real? How do we know when someone truly loves us back? How do we distinguish genuine care from behavior that only imitates it? What happens to our sense of self when we form bonds wi...

In this episode, we will go beyond a single worldview to explore how diverse faith traditions approach the moral challenges of AI and bioethics. Join us and three experts: Dr. Mohammed Ghaly, Dr. Cory Andrew Labrecque, and Dr. Tracy Trothen. From AI healthcare to boundaries of genetic engineering, listen to our experts' answers on how our world's greatest wisdom traditions can guide us thr...

In this episode, we were joined by Al Gombis, a senior leader from the United States government, who has spent decades thinking about the integration of technology into our national security, military, and line enforcement operations. Together, we explored the many difficult questions and balancing acts required in figuring out how to ethically bring this technology into the realms of war and nati...

In this wide-ranging conversation, we were joined by three renowned experts in the field of bioethics, medical ethics, and their intersection with technology. Braden Molhoek, Ted Peters and Sara-Jo Swiatek discuss gene editing, transhumanism, access, and the way our faith traditions can inform these very difficult decisions. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ethics-at-the-...

Listen to an interview with renowned bioethicist and AI ethicist Wendell Wallach. He discuss how he became involved in the ethics of emerging technologies, the connection between bioethics and AI ethics, and his ideas for ways to improve contemporary discourse on the ethics of emerging technologies, including his new work on what he calls “trade-off ethics” and “the silent ethic.”  Meet the speake...

In this episode, we’re excited to introduce Greg Cootsona as AI and Faith’s new Executive Director. From his early life and journey of faith, to his deep engagement with theology, science, and technology, Greg shares the experiences that have shaped his ministry, writing, and leadership. He reflects on the past decade of work at the intersection of culture and belief, offers insights from his book...

This summer, Nina Lutz, a PhD student at the University of Washington, joined Microsoft Research to interview nearly 50 religious leaders on how they approach technology in both ministry and personal spiritual practice. Her work, part of the new Technology for Religious Empowerment (T4RE) initiative, brings unique faith-based perspectives into the software creation process. In this podcast, Nina s...

Bob Johansen has spent the past 50 years studying the impact of technology on humans and our society. With a deep background in faith coming from divinity school and a fascination with world religions, Bob does a masterful job of helping us think about the way religion can help us cope with a rapidly changing world, and the way religion may have to change to be relevant in the future. Meet the spe...

In this wide ranging conversation, we dive into the impacts of AI on war, conflict, and the law. We explore how the ethics of war may change due to the rise of artificial intelligence, and of course what we can learn from our various religions and religious traditions to help us act ethically as we move into this future. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/military-legal-eth...

Should machines make decisions in the warfield? Can the “move fast and break things” motto of Silicon Valley be applied in the military? Join us in an interview with Dr. Shannon French about ethics in the military in the age of artificial intelligence. Dr. French is the Inamori Professor in Ethics and the Director of the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserv...