Artificial Intelligence, Society and Religion

Humans derive information from a complex natural and social environment, learn from experience, create tools, adapt to change, plan actions, act in a critical and rational manner, and formulate concrete and abstract ideas. In other words, humans have intelligence. A machine that displays some or all of these characteristics has artificial intelligence (AI). Attempts to create AI systems have a long history. Yet, AI systems emerged hardly a decade ago. Since then, AI has developed remarkable capabilities. Modern AI platforms and AI-powered robots can, among other things, converse, give erudite lectures, write essays and advertising material, create images and videos, drive cars and guide drones, initiate and conduct science research, diagnose and make treatments plans for sick individuals, and so on. The impact of AI is evident in virtually all fields of human activity. The rapid pace of AI has stirred debate on whether it will not only induce mass unemployment, inequality and a major social crisis but also that one day, sentient artificial beings smarter than humans will take over the world. Religion, Society and Artificial Intelligence has three basic aims. One, it provides an accessible description of AI, its capabilities and its advantages and disadvantages. Two, it explores the societal implications of the increasing AI penetration into different facets of life. Three, it looks at the confluence of AI, social factors and religion in general terms and for specific religions, that is, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Secularism. This book inquires: Are religion and AI compatible at the philosophical, ethical and spiritual levels. If it comes about, can sentient AI have a soul or join a religion. Are the societal roles of religion and AI complimentary or conflicting. Are the institutions, leaders and laity of the varied religions embracing or rejecting AI. What are the implications of AI being used for conducting prayers, and facilitating other religious activities. Can religion and AI be harnessed to jointly deal with the major problems like climate change, unequal education, poverty and war facing humanity today. Building on the foundation laid in the earlier three books in this series, these issues are tackled in an interdisciplinary, historical and widely accessible manner. In particular, the exposition is cognizant of the fact that modern religions and AI systems function in the context of the global neoliberal system and, in practice, reflect the values of that system. Technical material relating to AI is kept to a minimum.