Artificial Intelligence and Understanding of Religion: A Moral Perspective

Abstract

This article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and religious understanding are interconnected, as well as the moral impact of AI's role in interpreting and influencing religious beliefs and practices. The research aims to explore how the development and use of AI might affect religious values and practices, whether AI can support or disrupt spiritual experiences and worship, and how this technology can be aligned with religious moral teachings. The moral challenges that may arise from the interaction between AI and religious beliefs include the privacy of religious data, algorithmic bias against certain religious groups, and the impact of AI on religious freedom. By using data from existing literature and real-world applications, this research investigates the ethical challenges and opportunities posed by AI in a religious context. The main questions are: How do AI systems affect religious interpretation? What moral conflicts might arise from AI-mediated religious understanding? How do various religious communities perceive and adapt to AI's involvement in their spiritual practices? The research methodology employs a qualitative approach with an in-depth literature review and content analysis of case studies involving AI and religion. The findings suggest that while AI can provide new insights and facilitate interfaith dialogue, there are ethical concerns related to authenticity, bias, and the potential loss of traditional religious authority. The study emphasizes the importance of developing strong ethical guidelines and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure that AI's integration into religion respects and enhances moral and spiritual values.