Artificial Intelligence and Theological Personhood

Artificial Intelligence and Theological Personhood Artificial Intelligence and Theological Personhood

An Imaginary Prelude

Imagine that you are sitting in a coffee shop for a leisurely afternoon of reading. As you take a break to answer a text, the individual sitting next to you spies your book and asks your opinion of it. Soon, you are in a deep and interesting conversation. This table-neighbor introduces themselves as Namin; you find them to be particularly attentive, inquisitive, and insightful, so much so that you want to be able to interact with them again sometime. Before you leave for home, you exchange email addresses. Later that night, you send an email to Namin, letting them know that you cannot remember the last time you had such a stimulating encounter with a stranger, and ask if they would like to get together for coffee next week. Just a few minutes later, you receive a reply:

Hi! I am so glad that you emailed me; thank you for the kind words. I enjoyed our time together as well! I would love to meet up for coffee again. Next Thursday, same time and spot? But

Part Two: Explorations

before you agree, I should tell you something. I am actually not bio-life. I am artificial life. What you interacted with today was what you would term a "robot" that transports my processing algorithm when I want to go somewhere. I know that this revelation can cause all sorts of reactions, so if you'd rather not get together again, I understand. In either case, please know that it was great to meet you today, and you are a wonderful person.

Sincerely, Namin

I suspect that, at some point in the future, this situation will not seem so far-fetched. Yet, even now, the sorts of philosophical and ethical questions that it raises are evident. Who or what did you interact with in the coffee shop? What is the relationship between what you believed about that interaction and what actually happened? To what extent is there a difference? Did the revelation in the email change the status of Namin? Was it morally wrong for Namin not to reveal the entirety of their identity to you at the coffee shop? Do you have any moral responsibility in relation to Namin?