Relating to the Powers, Human, Spiritual, and Technological: A Contemplative Appraisal

Christian spirituality is inherently relational. As a discipline, Christian spirituality is devoted to the study and practice of being in relationship with God, oneself, others, and all of creation. The development of artificial intelligence and the anticipation of future, more advanced, artificial intelligences, raises questions about the practice and scope of Christian spirituality. This paper explores cautionary and constructive possibilities for partnerships between human beings and artificial intelligence. For example. how can the development of potential artificial consciousness expand the understanding of not only how, but who or what, may practice contemplative Christian spirituality? This appraisal draws upon several ideas and sources, including the 14th century mystic, Richard Rolle, Walter Wink’s social theology, Michael Burdett’s theology of technology, and the practice of contemplative prayer.