Imago Dei and technology: Psalm 8 facing the challenge of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Many decades have passed since Alan Turing, in his famous article in Mind magazine (1950), raised the question of whether machines, and specifically computers, could come to think. In these eighty years, humanity has witnessed rapid technological evolution. In recent years, the advance of what we call Artificial Intelligence or, more technically, LLM (Large Language Model), has raised numerous questions: “Would machines not only be capable of thinking, but would they even replace human beings? Would machines perform better not only the heavy tasks, but also those that occupy the human mind, such as the elaboration of new theories, works of art and literature, for example?” In addition to these practice questions arise others, frequently centered on the ethical aspects of the use of AI. Theology can contribute to this field, both with anthropological and ethics reflection. This article intends to reflect on biblical anthropology in the context of advances in various AI. For this, an exegesis of Psalm 8 is presented, following some steps of the Historical-Critical Method, followed by a reflection on the greatness and insignificance of the human being before God. The conclusion intends to demonstrate that, however much the various forms of AI can contribute to the “human doing”, they will never replace human dignity, given that humanity is the image and semblance of a superior and uncreated intelligence.