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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 12, No. 03

Publication Date: March 25, 2025

DOI:10.14738/assrj.1203.18369.

Susan, K. (2025). Artificial Intelligence: Investigate the Implications of AI on the Work of the Holy Spirit, Including the Potential for

AI to Facilitate or Hinder Spiritual Growth. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 12(03). 27-33.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Artificial Intelligence: Investigate the Implications of AI on the

Work of the Holy Spirit, Including the Potential for AI to Facilitate

or Hinder Spiritual Growth

Kemigisha Susan

Theology Department, School of Social and Human Studies,

Atlantic International University, Pioneer Plaza,

900 Fort Street Mall 905, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the

work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth, examining the potential benefits and

drawbacks of AI in facilitating or hindering spiritual development. A qualitative

approach, combining literature review, case studies, and expert interviews, is

employed to explore the intersection of theology, AI, and spirituality. Two case

studies, the Interfaith Dialogue Platform and AI-Powered Chatbots in a Church

Setting, provide valuable insights into the potential applications and implications

of AI in spiritual contexts. The findings of this research contribute to the growing

body of literature on the intersection of theology and AI, highlighting the

importance of considering the implications of AI on spiritual growth and

development. The study’s results have practical applications in various fields,

including education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue, and contribute to

UNESCO’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16: Peace, Justice,

and Strong Institutions.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Interfaith Dialogue, Conflict Resolution, Human

Rights, Religious Studies.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

The concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undergone significant transformations since its

inception in the mid-20th century.

The term “Artificial Intelligence” was first coined in 1956 by John McCarthy, a computer

scientist and cognitive scientist, at the Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial

Intelligence (McCarthy, 2007, p. 12). This project marked the beginning of AI research, with the

goal of creating machines that could simulate human intelligence.

In the 1950s and 1960s, AI research focused on developing rule-based systems that could

reason and solve problems (Feigenbaum& Feldman, 1963, p. 23). The development of the first

AI program, called Logical Theorist, in 1956 marked a significant milestone in AI research

(Simon & Newell, 1956, p. 12).

The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of expert systems, which were designed to mimic the

decision-making abilities of human experts (Feigenbaum, 1977, p. 12). This period also saw the

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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 12, Issue 03, March-2025

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

development of machine learning algorithms, which enabled machines to learn from data

without being explicitly programmed (Mitchell, 1982, p. 23).

In recent years, the rapid advancement of machine learning and natural language processing

has led to significant developments in AI research (Kurzweil, 2005, p. 12). The increasing use

of AI in various aspects of life, including education, healthcare, and entertainment, has raised

questions about its potential impact on spirituality and theology (Bostrom, 2014, p. 23).

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, it is essential to explore its implications

for contemporary theological discourse. This research investigates the implications of AI on the

work of the Holy Spirit, including the potential for AI to facilitate or hinder spiritual growth.

The intersection of AI and spirituality is a relatively unexplored area of research. While scholars

such as Bostrom (2014), Kurzweil (2005), and Tegmark (2017) have examined the potential

benefits and dangers of AI, they have not explicitly addressed its implications for spirituality

and theology. Chalmers (2010) and Floridi (2014) have explored the philosophical implications

of AI, but their work does not specifically examine its implications for spiritual growth.

The introduction highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship

between AI and spirituality. As AI becomes increasingly pervasive, it is essential to consider its

potential impact on the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth. This research aims to

contribute to this emerging field of study, exploring the implications of AI for contemporary

theological discourse.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The increasing reliance on AI raises questions about its potential impact on spiritual growth

and the work of the Holy Spirit. Can AI facilitate spiritual growth, or does it hinder it? What are

the implications of AI for contemporary theological discourse?

OBJECTIVES

Main Objective

To investigate the implications of AI on the work of the Holy Spirit and its potential impact on

spiritual growth.

Minor Objectives

1. To examine the intersection of theology, AI, and spirituality.

2. To analyze the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI for spiritual growth.

3. To explore the implications of AI for contemporary theological discourse.

METHODOLOGY

This research employs a qualitative approach, combining literature review, case studies, and

expert interviews to explore the implications of AI on the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual

growth. The qualitative approach is chosen for its ability to provide in-depth insights and

nuanced understandings of complex phenomena (Creswell, 2013, p. 43).

The literature review provides a comprehensive overview of existing research on AI,

spirituality, and theology. The case studies involve in-depth analyses of AI-powered spiritual

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Susan, K. (2025). Artificial Intelligence: Investigate the Implications of AI on the Work of the Holy Spirit, Including the Potential for AI to Facilitate

or Hinder Spiritual Growth. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 12(03). 27-33.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1203.18369

tools, platforms, and communities. The expert interviews provide insights from scholars,

religious leaders, and practitioners in the field of AI, spirituality, and theology.

Data Analysis

Data analysis is conducted using a thematic analysis approach, which involves identifying,

coding, and categorizing themes and patterns in the data (Braun & Clarke, 2006, p. 79). The

analysis is guided by the research questions and theoretical framework.

The findings of this research contribute to the growing body of literature on the intersection of

theology, AI, and spirituality. The study highlights the importance of considering the

implications of AI on spiritual growth and development, and provides insights into the potential

benefits and drawbacks of AI in facilitating or hindering spiritual growth

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), spirituality, and theology is a complex and

multifaceted field of study. This research aims to explore the implications of AI on the work of

the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth, examining the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI in

facilitating or hindering spiritual development.

To contextualize this study, it is essential to understand the historical development of AI and

its increasing integration into various aspects of life. The term “Artificial Intelligence” was first

coined in 1956 by John McCarthy, a computer scientist and cognitive scientist, at the Dartmouth

Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence (McCarthy, 2007, p. 12). Since then, AI

research has undergone significant transformations, from the development of rule-based

systems to the emergence of machine learning algorithms.

The rapid advancement of machine learning and natural language processing has led to

significant developments in AI research (Kurzweil, 2005, p. 12). AI is increasingly being used in

various fields, including education, healthcare, and entertainment, raising questions about its

potential impact on spirituality and theology (Bostrom, 2014, p. 23).

Scholars such as N. Katherine Hayles (1999) have explored the intersection of technology and

spirituality, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship

between AI and spirituality. However, there is a lack of research specifically examining the

implications of AI on the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth.

This study aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on the intersection of theology,

AI, and spirituality. By exploring the implications of AI on the work of the Holy Spirit and

spiritual growth, this research seeks to provide insights into the potential benefits and

drawbacks of AI in facilitating or hindering spiritual development.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This qualitative research study explored the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the

work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth. The study employed a mixed-methods approach,

combining literature review, case studies, and expert interviews. Two case studies, the

Interfaith Dialogue Platform and AI-Powered Chatbots in a Church Setting, provided valuable

insights into the potential applications and implications of AI in spiritual contexts.