Pixels and Parables: A Gaming Approach to Virtue Cultivation

This project investigates the role of generative AI in fostering ethical development through video games, focusing on the design of non-playable characters (NPCs) to influence players' moral reasoning. Utilizing GPT-4 for both Ethical Assessment AI (EAAI) and Narrative Guidance AI (NGAI), this study aims to evaluate and guide players' decisions within a text-based game, rooted in theological ethical frameworks. By integrating complex ethical dilemmas that mirror moral complexities from religious traditions, the research explores AI's potential in virtue cultivation. The methodology includes developing a simple game interface, employing AI for ethical assessment and narrative adaptation, and integrating theological ethics into game design. Expected outcomes include insights into AI's capability for moral reasoning enhancement and recommendations for incorporating ethical principles into AI-driven designs. This approach signifies a paradigm shift in technology's role, envisioning AI as a tool for personal and moral development.