Religion and Robots: A New Guide for Faith

In a world where machines learn to talk, leaders of faith are drawing new rules that fit their traditions. They are not alone; clergy worldwide ask the same question: How does artificial intelligence fit into our beliefs? The Pope’s choice of name, Leo XIV, signals a special focus on AI. He named it after his predecessor who wrote an important letter about workers during the Industrial Revolution. Shortly after being elected, Leo XIV spoke to cardinals about AI’s rising influence on dignity, justice, and work. On May 25 he released an encyclical titled “Magnifica humanitas. ” It does not ban AI but warns that technology can both help and harm people. The document asks whether new tools make life more humane, fair, and respectful of the planet and future generations. Key concerns include environmental damage, job loss, fake news, privacy breaches, and weaponization of AI. The Pope warns that without safeguards, people may be treated as mere resources for profit.

In the United States, Rabbi Geoffrey Mitelman founded Sinai and Synapses in 2013 to merge religion with science. The group now studies how AI reshapes the meaning of humanity and raises ethical questions about data ownership and plagiarism. He suggests that AI should cite its sources so credit is given where it belongs. Mitelman believes AI will change how religions study texts, much like the printing press once did. Sinai and Synapses teamed with Clal on a project called “Deepening Jewish Education in the Digital Age. ” The aim is to use digital tools, including AI, to strengthen values within the Jewish community. A grant in August 2025 went to Rabbi Daniel Bogard, who teaches rabbis how to use chatbots, coding, and AI as partners in learning. Bogard created tools such as a Torah Heatmap that shows the most discussed verses and Chevruta. AI, which helps write Jewish study sheets. He argues that AI should be guided by values rather than strict rules that quickly become obsolete. Bogard sees the Industrial Revolution as a turning point but believes core human qualities—friendship, family, and stewardship of the Earth—remain unchanged. He thinks AI will deepen faith rather than replace it.

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