By Sukanya Ganesh — Sep 9, 2024

⛪️ Divine Code

As AI merges with spiritual life, theologians are reexamining doctrines, questioning how intelligent machines might redefine humanity, the divine, and spiritual practice.

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The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming many aspects of human life, including the way we think about religion, ethics, and the nature of existence itself. As AI systems become more sophisticated and integrated into everyday life, they are not only tools for solving practical problems but also catalysts for profound theological reflection. The intersection of AI and theology prompts critical questions: How does the rise of intelligent machines challenge our understanding of what it means to be human? Can AI possess moral or spiritual significance? And how should religious traditions respond to the ethical dilemmas posed by AI technologies?

Pray.com

Pray.com is a digital platform that offers a variety of faith-based content, including prayer guides, Bible studies, and inspirational stories. The company uses AI to personalize content recommendations based on users' preferences and behaviors. The platform also offers AI-driven daily prayer reminders, helping users maintain a consistent prayer routine. By analyzing user engagement, the AI system can suggest specific prayers or religious content that aligns with the individual’s spiritual needs.

The Mindful Muslim

The Mindful Muslim is an app that integrates AI to support Islamic practices, particularly meditation and mindfulness within an Islamic context. The app provides guided meditations, Quran recitations, and reminders for daily prayers (Salah). Using AI, it can tailor meditation sessions to the user’s mood, stress levels, and spiritual goals. The app also tracks users' progress and adjusts the content to help them deepen their spiritual practice.

Xian'er Robot Monk

In China, the Longquan Temple developed the "Xian'er" robot monk, an AI-powered robot that can answer questions about Buddhism, chant mantras, and engage in simple dialogues about Buddhist teachings. The robot is designed to make Buddhist teachings more accessible, particularly to younger generations who are more inclined to engage with technology. Xian'er represents an innovative fusion of ancient religious practices with modern technology.

Karta

Karta is a company that develops AI-driven tools for Hindu practices. One of their apps offers virtual puja (worship) experiences, where users can participate in religious rituals through an AI-powered platform. The app can guide users through the steps of a puja, customize the experience based on the user's preferences, and even allow them to offer virtual offerings to deities. This is particularly beneficial for those who are unable to visit temples or perform rituals in person.

In the realm of spirituality, AI is being used to support practices like prayer, meditation, and scripture study. While some see potential in AI for personalized spiritual guidance, others worry about the authenticity of AI-mediated spiritual experiences, fearing it could lead to a shallow or commodified form of spirituality, lacking the depth and relational quality of traditional practices.