If robots R–US, who am I: Online ‘Christian’ responses to artificial intelligence

Abstract

In this paper, I present responses to GRIN technologies drawn from Christian posts on the Internet, to answer the following research questions: 1. Which approach to imago Dei informs the online Christian response to artificial intelligence and artificial life (AI/AL)? and 2. To what extent does the preference for a particular approach emerge from a desire to construct the Self? Drawing upon Herzfeld (2002) discussion of AI and theological approaches to understanding the meaning of imago Dei, or humankind made in the image of God, it is shown that the Christian response to AI and AL is elaborated mostly through the functionalist and substantive approaches. It also largely constructs the GRN future as a Hell scenario. With reference to Bhabha's postcolonial model of ambivalence, it is argued that this response is motivated by a desire to regain control over the discursive construction of the Self, which for some, is challenged by AI and AL.