The intersection of theological scholarship and artificial intelligence is generating new conversations about the ethical aspects of emerging technologies.
Researchers connected to Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI argue that religious perspectives are vital for shaping AI development, raising questions about human identity, meaning, and ethics.
Dr Lyndon Drake, a research fellow in AI at the Faculty of Theology and Religion, noted that theological study offers valuable perspectives on language and meaning—areas where AI systems’ fundamental assumptions often remain unspoken.
This dialogue attracted international attention in March when the 14th Dalai Lama met with Oxford academics and shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence.
He argued that artificial intelligence, regardless of its abilities, will never match the depth and speed of human thought, stating that while such systems may possess many capabilities, ultimately everything depends on human intelligence. He added that no matter how far technology advances, machines cannot match the speed of human thinking, and his own mental processes are in constant flux.
His comments, alongside growing involvement from religious leaders in AI conversations, underscore the relevance of theology in public discussions about technology.
Dr Caroline Emmer De Albuquerque Green, research director at the Institute for Ethics in AI, said the question is no longer whether theology has a place in this conversation, but whether we can justify leaving it out.
As artificial intelligence advances, reshaping society in ways that raise profound ethical and philosophical questions, people increasingly turn to faith communities and religious leaders for guidance on what it means to be human in an age of thinking machines.
Different religious traditions are beginning to formulate their own approaches to understanding and steering artificial intelligence development.
At the Civic AI Conference planned for March 2026, Buddhist scholar Lobsang Monlam highlighted the need for artificial intelligence to operate with wisdom, compassion, and rational judgment, warning that it should avoid action unless it can demonstrate the non-existence of harm by failing to observe negative factors.
The Vatican similarly has stressed the importance of human dignity and serving the common good, supporting artificial intelligence that benefits humanity.
Challenges remain despite increasing participation.
Religious leaders may lack technical expertise, and faith perspectives vary significantly in their ethical positions and worldviews, making unified international oversight difficult.
To address these issues, the Oxford Collaboration on Theology and Artificial Intelligence has developed the Oxford Oath for AI Practitioners.
This document draws on religious scholarship while being written for a general audience.
It provides a framework for ethical reasoning for scientists, engineers, and business leaders driving artificial intelligence research and developing AI products.
Work in this area continues across Oxford University, including activities at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.
Scholars are investigating how ancient religious philosophical traditions can provide meaningful guidance for one of the most urgent ethical challenges of the 21st century.