AI and Faith

Mark Graves, a research director and scholar in AI ethics who bridges theology and computer science, explores prioritizing practical wisdom and compassion over raw intelligence. He discusses drawing on Aristotle and Buddhist thought, the role of suffering in AI ethics, healthcare as a testing ground, and how to model relational, context-sensitive moral judgment in AI.

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.org/aif-podcast/transhumanism-and-the-christian-perspective/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Penny YuenHost: Gilad BerensteinGuest: Micah ReddingEditing: Isabelle BraconnotMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39

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 conclude with a beautiful conversation about AI hope in the future, where artificial intelligence elevates all of our spiritual practices.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/rise-of-digital-religions-with-beth-singler/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Penny YuenHost: Gilad BerensteinGuests: Prof. Dr. Beth SinglerEditing: Isabelle BraconnotMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39

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 returns, positive impact on humanity, and ones that support their religious and spiritual desires. We concluded the conversation with a deep dive into the Baháʼí faith and the many ways AI is utilized within that community.Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Penny YuenHost: Gilad BerensteinGuests: Daryn Dodson and Jenna NicholasEditing: Isabelle BraconnotMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39

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-executive-director-54/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Penny YuenHost: Gilad BerensteinGuests: Greg CootsonaEditing: Isabelle BraconnotMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39

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-ai-abundance-53/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Penny YuenHost: Gilad BerensteinGuests: Brian Sigmon and Dr. David Zvi KalmanEditing: Isabelle BraconnotMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39

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-mindset-for-a-sustainable-future/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Pablo Salmones and Penny YuenHost: Pablo SalmonesGuest: Dr. John O’KeefeEditing: Isabelle BraconnotMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39

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 with machines that can simulate affection and praise and justify us without limit?And can there be true reciprocity in a relationship where one side cannot be vulnerable?In this episode, Rabbi Dr. Harris Bor and Dr. Marina Zilbergerts explore the ethical, spiritual, and psychological frontier of relational AI. These technologies are designed to mirror our emotions, anticipate our needs, and offer companionship that appears responsive, attentive, and empathetic.Drawing on insights from faith traditions, philosophy of mind, and cultural imagination, this conversation considers what artificial companionship reveals about the human need for authentic knowledge of self and other, and what, if anything, it obscures about the delicate embodied nature of real relationships.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/relational-ai/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Pablo Salmones and Penny YuenSpeakers: Rabbi Dr. Harris Bor and Dr. Marina ZilbergertsEditing: Isabelle BraconnotMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39

Dr. Mohammed Ghaly, a professor specializing in Islamic biomedical ethics, joins Dr. Cory Andrew Labrecque, an expert in bioethics and theological ethics, and Dr. Tracy Trothen, a specialist in ethics and spirituality. Together, they explore the intersection of AI, ethics, and faith. Key topics include the importance of diverse faith perspectives in addressing AI's moral challenges, the dangers of data bias and power concentration, and the role of faith institutions in advocating for ethical AI practices. They emphasize the need for compassion and shared values in shaping AI's future.

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 national security.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ais-impacts-on-wars-and-military-conflict-with-albert-gombis/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Pablo Salmones and Penny YuenHost: Gilad BerensteinGuests: Albert T. GombisEditing: Isabelle BraconnotMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39