The Catholic Book Club discussion

5. What are your thoughts on whether AI could ever be "ensouled" as a continuation of the Imago Dei? (Note: as the author, I am *highly* skeptical. This is a work of fiction that, like all fiction, is really about human beings.)

This question was provided by the author.

Manuel wrote: "5. What are your thoughts on whether AI could ever be "ensouled" as a continuation of the Imago Dei? (Note: as the author, I am *highly* skeptical. This is a work of fiction that, like all fiction,..."

I'm not a theologian, but I believe that God could manifest Himself in any way He desires. I think that computer science is just a tool and, that's it, and that the other is simply science fiction. For example, unless they take you to pages of new age sects, self-destructive sects, jihadists or Satanists, I don't think technology is demonic. What I do think is that it should not take over your life.

I am also highly skeptical about the possibility of AGI being made self-conscious, although I have used this idea in two of my science fiction novels, one of which was read in this club.

However, if Andrew and I were mistaken and AGI were possible, this wouldn't be a theological problem for me. In my novel Operation Quatuor I included the following conversation:

"Can [a robot] be free and immortal?”

“Why not? Think... Living beings had to evolve for billions of years before intelligent, self-conscious beings appeared. We believers think that, when that happened, God granted them immortality. In the same way, when men tried to build artificial intelligence, the first attempts fell short, but as soon as they managed to manufacture self-aware beings... I do believe that God granted [them] immortality...”

“So is there a heaven and a hell for robots?”

“We are all made in the image and likeness of God. We are all part of the same evolutionary process. Greek or Jew, male or female, human or robot, what does it matter?”

Manuel wrote: "I am also highly skeptical about the possibility of AGI being made self-conscious, although I have used this idea in two of my science fiction novels, one of which was read in this club.

However, ..."

I don't think so either let the AGI be an Imago Dei.