Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalis

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked theological debates about its potential to achieve consciousness and personhood. This article critically evaluates these claims, arguing that consciousness cannot emerge from computational systems as an intrinsic quality of living bei...

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Main Author: Dieter de Bruin
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2025-07-01
Series:HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10692
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author Dieter de Bruin
author_facet Dieter de Bruin
author_sort Dieter de Bruin
collection DOAJ
description The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked theological debates about its potential to achieve consciousness and personhood. This article critically evaluates these claims, arguing that consciousness cannot emerge from computational systems as an intrinsic quality of living beings. Through philosophical analysis and theological reflection, it examines the fallacies in attributing agency or personhood to AI. Contribution: These reflections are offered in a playful reflective tone, drawing on the form and content from two creative works by David Bentley Hart, where persons other than human beings are given voice to critique an algorithmic and mechanistic development of consciousness.
format Article
id doaj-art-88a40aa8c4b24fb5822fda979caf3564
institution DOAJ
issn 0259-9422
2072-8050
language Afrikaans
publishDate 2025-07-01
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series HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
spelling doaj-art-88a40aa8c4b24fb5822fda979caf35642025-08-20T02:59:58ZafrAOSISHTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies0259-94222072-80502025-07-01811e1e710.4102/hts.v81i1.106926151Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalisDieter de Bruin0Department of Practical Theology and Mission Studies, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, PretoriaThe rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked theological debates about its potential to achieve consciousness and personhood. This article critically evaluates these claims, arguing that consciousness cannot emerge from computational systems as an intrinsic quality of living beings. Through philosophical analysis and theological reflection, it examines the fallacies in attributing agency or personhood to AI. Contribution: These reflections are offered in a playful reflective tone, drawing on the form and content from two creative works by David Bentley Hart, where persons other than human beings are given voice to critique an algorithmic and mechanistic development of consciousness.https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10692generative aiconsciousnessanimal theologyeco theologydavid bentley hart
spellingShingle Dieter de Bruin
Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalis
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
generative ai
consciousness
animal theology
eco theology
david bentley hart
title Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalis
title_full Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalis
title_fullStr Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalis
title_full_unstemmed Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalis
title_short Roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo-digitalis
title_sort roland reflects on the implications of generative artificial intelligence on homo digitalis
topic generative ai
consciousness
animal theology
eco theology
david bentley hart
url https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10692
work_keys_str_mv AT dieterdebruin rolandreflectsontheimplicationsofgenerativeartificialintelligenceonhomodigitalis