Proximate and Ultimate Concerns in Christian Ethical Responses to Artificial Intelligence

Burdett, Michael Stephen

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: Jun 6, 2023
• 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