AI and the Ends of Humanity

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 john.pittard@yale.edu; kathryn.tanner@yale.edu

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.

Keynote speakers:

William Schweiker, Paul Scherz, and Manuel Vargas  

Core Panels:

1. Creation: questions of theological anthropology and AI consciousness and personhood
   • Panelists: Ted Peters, Brian Cutter, Marius Dorobantu
2. 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
   • Panelists:  David Kalman, Valentina Tirloni, Luciano Floridi 
3. Communion and Eschatological Consummation: the nature of care and intimacy, the meaning of work and leisure and worship, posthuman futures
   • Panelists:  Linn Tonstad, Kathryn Reklis, M. Wolff

Lodging:

A room block is being reserved at a local hotel.  Please check back in January 2025 for details.

Call for Papers

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 15, 2024

Acceptance notification date: October 15, 2024

Sponsors

Co-sponsored by the Yale Digital Ethics Center, the Yale Humanities Division, the Yale Department of Religious Studies, and the Provost’s Fund for AI Innovation.

Background photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash. Conference poster graphic by Karin Krochmal Graphic Design