‘No place like home?’: Artificial intelligence-ecology within religious sacred stewardship and the digital Anthropocene

Abstract

This article examines the ‘religious paradox of home’ within major religious traditions to construct a theologically grounded ethical framework for artificial intelligence (AI). Against the backdrop of the global ecological crisis, this article argues for steering AI development away from technological domination towards sacred stewardship in the digital Anthropocene. Using a qualitative desktop methodology, data were gathered from Christianity, Buddhism, Indigenous Traditions, Islam and Hinduism perspectives and used ‘home’ as a conceptual framework. The analysis shows that these traditions, despite their differences, collectively foster a double consciousness of the earth as both a physical dwelling and spiritual destined home. The article concludes that this paradox fosters a robust ethic of hopeful responsibility, providing an essential moral foundation for technology geared to correct both exploitative domination and escapist indifference towards our planetary home.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This study uniquely proposes a sacred stewardship by design using theology, environmental ethics and postcolonial studies. The study fosters that ecology and social responsibility must be at the core, not ancillary to technological innovation. The study challenges that AI development should integrate theology and spiritual wisdom.