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Proximate and Ultimate Concerns in Christian Ethical Responses to Artificial Intelligence

Burdett, Michael Stephen

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Abstract

I argue here that Christian ethical responses to Artificial Intelligence (AI) ought to take on, largely, two different approaches. The first considers proximate ethical concerns related to AI. This ethical approach most often considers more immediate personal and socio-political repercussions and the kind of impact that is occurring now or in the very near future. Proximate ethics of this type includes discussion about fairness, accountability, sustainability and transparency. The second concerns ultimate ethics which focuses on the longer-term impact and implications of AI. Examples of this type might include issues of uniqueness, deep societal transformation and inequality, changes to personal character and even the role AI might have in God's ultimate economy of creation and grace. My contention is that the Christian church needs to attend to both approaches to AI and that when it focuses too myopically on one at the expense of the other it often eclipses the entire witness of the church in our technological society.

Citation

Burdett, M. S. (2023). Proximate and Ultimate Concerns in Christian Ethical Responses to Artificial Intelligence. Studies in Christian Ethics, 36(3), 620–641. https://doi.org/10.1177/09539468231180135

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 17, 2023
Online Publication Date Jun 20, 2023
Publication Date 2023-08
Deposit Date Jun 6, 2023
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Studies in Christian Ethics
Print ISSN 0953-9468
Electronic ISSN 1745-5235
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 36
Issue 3
Pages 620–641
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/09539468231180135
Keywords Artificial intelligence, human rights, political theology, technology, information, human uniqueness, ecology, spirituality
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/21633259
Publisher URL https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09539468231180135

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