Reflections on the soul and artificial intelligence
Does the soul make us unique?
We often use the figurative saying, “You have no soul,” to describe someone we perceive as lacking humanity. The soul is a concept deeply embedded in our everyday language, reflected in expressions like “the eyes are the window to the soul,” “to bare one’s soul,” “to pour one’s heart and soul into something,” “to sell one’s soul,” or “whatever is good for your soul…do that.” These phrases reveal how fundamental the idea of the soul is to how we understand and express human experience.
As we grapple with rapid advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), it has become increasingly essential to reflect on the soul and its profound connection to what makes us distinctly human. The soul and humanity are deeply intertwined, each incomplete without the other.
In her book Robotic Souls: Programming in Humanity, Eve Poole explores this intricate relationship, delving into humanity’s interaction with AI and what sets us apart amid groundbreaking technological progress. Poole acknowledges the challenge of defining our humanness, writing, “We have not often had to define our humanity.”[1] She examines theories surrounding concepts traditionally viewed as uniquely human—self-awareness, consciousness, and the soul. Poole poses a thought-provoking question concerning the soul: “Might trying to understand the soul take us to the next level? But the problem is, the soul is not a ‘knowable item’ and if we stare at it for long enough and it does not look like a perfect Form[2]: all we see is junk code[3].”[4] Poole further writes, “Perhaps Junk Code is actually soul; and that it is not our consciousness that makes us special, but our souls.”[5]
For this post, I will focus primarily on the concept of the soul, particularly its needs, from a Christian perspective.
Soul Searching
With the mind-blowing advancements in AI technology, we must first look at ourselves and our soul’s needs. Simone Weil writes, “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” With this statement, I ask myself, “What are we rooted in?” “How can we begin to properly handle and care for AI if we struggle to define words like humanity, consciousness, and soul?” and “Why does the soul make humans so unique?”
I believe the answer lies in the relationship between the Sender and the recipient. Werner Gitt writes, “It should be noted that the activities of all living organisms are controlled by programs comprising information.” He further suggests, “If the information is to be understood, the particular code must be known to both the sender and the recipient.”[6] As a Christian, I view this sender/recipient relationship as best reflected in the dynamic between God and His creation, particularly humans. We are designed to create, with souls in alignment with the Sender. Werner Gitt categorizes creative information as the highest level of transmitted information, and I believe God has uniquely encoded this in humans. Gitt explains that “[creative information]…does not involve copied or reproduced information. This information always requires a personal mind exercising its own free will as [the] original source.”[7] With current AI advancements, we are doing what comes naturally: creating. However, this leaves me with some concern.
My concern about the interaction between humans and artificial intelligence is that we risk exchanging a relationship with God for a reliance on technology. The apostle Paul warns in Rom. 1:25 (NIV), “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” Furthermore, Henri Nouwen insightfully writes, “…the same powers that enable us to create new lifestyles also carry the potential for self-destruction.”[8] Ultimately, I am not sure humanity has done enough soul-searching concerning the Sender/recipient relationship and how this ultimately affects our relationship with artificial intelligence.
What does the soul want?
As a Christian, I believe the soul is longing for connection, renewal and rest in the presence of God. This deep yearning is beautifully captured in Psalm 42:1 (NIV), which says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Our souls thirst for communion with the Divine, desiring fulfillment only God can provide. Frank Macchia asks, “Could it be that there is really something inside of us that yearns for what Christ has to offer?”[9]
While exploring various AI innovations, I came across LOVOT, a companion robot developed by the Japanese company groove X. Marketed with the slogan, “Make the human power to love even stronger,” LOVOT is designed to foster emotional connection rather than merely perform tasks. Its actions are not pre-programmed, allowing it to react and adapt to its environment in real time, making each interaction unique. With lifelike eyes and expressive sounds, LOVOT mimics the characteristics of living creatures.[10] I am impressed by robotics like LOVOT. However, I ask myself, “Why are robotics becoming the answer to the soul’s need for connection and relationship?” For the sake of word count, I will not delve further into this question. However, I would like to further explore it in the future.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is nothing new and will continue advancing. Bloomberg recently posted that Tesla CEO Elon Musk expects to see more humanoid robots than people by 2040.[11] In addition, this week, President Trump announced an initiative for several technology giants to invest at least $500 billion in artificial intelligence.”[12] With this, I believe we must better reflect on our soul needs and remember the irreplaceable relationship between the sender and the recipient (e.g., God and humans). This relationship defines our humanity, satisfies us, and brings healing to our souls. Perhaps, when we better understand our soul needs, we can better program humanity into artificial intelligence? Poole writes about artificial intelligence: “They [AI] need us now to make them better because we are better than this.”[13]
We still have a lot of work to do.
[1] Eve Poole, Robotic Souls: Programming in Humanity (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2024), 14, Kindle Edition.
[2] David Macintosh writes concerning the theory of Forms, “According to Plato, for any conceivable thing or property there is a corresponding Form, a perfect example of that thing or property. The list is almost inexhaustible. Tree, House, Mountain, Man, Woman, Ship, Cloud, Horse, Dog, Table and Chair, would all be examples of putatively independently-existing abstract perfect Ideas.” (David Macintosh, “Plato: A Theory of Forms,” Philosophy Now, Issue 90, accessed January 22, 2025, https://philosophynow.org/issues/90/Plato_A_Theory_of_Forms.)
[3] Poole categorizes junk code by the following: emotions, mistakes, storytelling, sixth sense, uncertainty, free will, and meaning.
[4] Poole, Robotic Souls, 116, Kindle Edition.
[5] Poole, Robotic Souls, 121, Kindle Edition.
[6] Werner Gitt, In the Beginning Was Information (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, n.d.), 69, Kindle Edition.
[7] Gitt, In the Beginning Was Information, 126-127, Kindle Edition.
[8] Henri J. M. Nouwen, The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society (New York: Doubleday Image Book, 1979), Kindle Edition, 11.
[9] Frank D. Macchia, The Trinity Practically Speaking (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010), 46.
[10] LOVOT, “Home,” accessed January 23, 2025, https://lovot.life/en/.
[11] “Musk Expects More Humanoid Robots Than People by 2040.” Bloomberg, October 29, 2024, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2024-10-29/musk-expects-more-humanoid-robots-than-people-by-2040
[12] Christa Marshall & E&E News, “Here’s What’s in ‘Stargate,’ the $500-Billion Trump-Endorsed Plan to Power U.S. AI,” Scientific American, January 22, 2025, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-whats-in-stargate-the-usd500-billion-trump-endorsed-plan-to-power-u-s/
[13] Poole, Robotic Souls, 205, Kindle Edition.
About the Author
Elysse Burns
15 responses to “Reflections on the soul and artificial intelligence”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Elysse,
I appreciate your concern for losing our dependency on God and replace it with a dependency on tech. Jonathan Haidt covers this in his Anxious Generation book talking about A God Shaped Hole in all of us. You write “However, I ask myself, “Why are robotics becoming the answer to the soul’s need for connection and relationship?” In my cultural and human diversity class I cover the topic of sexuality. Within that I talk about sex dolls and sex robots and show them a video from a few years ago when Katie Couric did a segment on the development of sex robots. One of the customers talked about how the robots, are a perfect companion, they don’t judge you, they won’t betray you, etc. I wonder if the junk code that makes us human is part of what drives people away from others.
https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/buy-sex-robot-equipped-artificial-intelligence-20000-54712355
Where does the church fit into all of this? How can the church help people understand their souls better? I don’t expect a great answer, just some initial thoughts.
Hi Jeff, Thank you for sharing this video. I found it quite disturbing. I keep thinking about these ‘virtual’ relationships that have gone so far as to cause young people to commit suicide. Christy wrote about this in her blog. I think the church needs to create safe spaces to speak about these virtual relationships and work with people through them (i.e., families, individuals, etc.). Unfortunately, I believe there is still a lot of shame people feel in church settings that causes them to fear revealing specific struggles. Perhaps the church could bring in experts in the field to discuss AI with the congregation? So, just a few ideas would be: 1) acknowledge AI, 2) create a safe place to talk about AI and struggles with it, 3) connect with experts in the field who can keep people current with AI advancements
Hi Elysse, I think you jumped right to the biggest point of this discussion, our need for and relationship with God. Beyond prayer and living our lives within this all important relationship, do you see any thing specific that individuals can do to impact AI?
Hi Diane, I think something we can do is remain current regarding AI advancements. Reading Robotic Souls made me realize I am very behind in understanding or interacting with AI. I also wondered if legitimate advocacy groups exist to keep companies and the government accountable concerning AI advancements? I wouldn’t mind being part of one.
Hi Elysse, great post. Do you think that, if designed with junk code, AI might have something to teach us about how to relate to God? Why or why not?
Hi Graham, You ask a good question. I’m not sure. I suppose it could. Perhaps it already can. However, I can’t imagine AI having more impact than someone like Augustine (although AI can outline his lengthy texts). I also think about Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey” and how moving the human journey is, especially concerning seeking after God. This is a lot of rambling, but I am not sure AI should be the tool to help us relate to God. However, I still struggle to wrap my head around this big and quickly evolving idea of AI.
Hi Elysee,
How does Eve Poole’s book, suggest the concept of the soul distinguishes humans from AI, and what implications does this have for our understanding of consciousness and self-awareness?
Hi Shela, I appreciate Eve Poole’s statement, “Perhaps Junk Code is actually soul.” Her idea of “junk code” differentiates us from AI. I have not learned enough about philosophy to give a good answer to its implications for consciousness and self-awareness. However, I will take a good guess and say that considering our uniqueness as humans, the consciousness of our “junk code” brings self-awareness.
Great article Elysse, thank you for your thoughtful inquiry into the soul and AI.
What do you think about the recent Executive Order revoking Biden’s order to assess and monitor risks from AI? What impact might unrestricted AI have on our souls?
Elysse,
I had written the best question… but then my internet didn’t connect while out in Florida and apparently it never actually posted. Now that I am back home I found that Debbie’s question was better than mine so I am tapping in here to hear more about the Executive Order.
Hi Debbie, I am sorry to admit that I am unfamiliar with Biden’s Executive Order concerning AI guardrails. I reviewed it briefly today and agreed with what I read (although it was too long to read thoroughly). What I can say is I am usually skeptical about abrupt actions taken to change anything. I agreed with Mack McClarty in D.C. when he emphasized incremental change and stability. I keep reading phrases like “competition with China” and “U.S. dominance” to describe reasons for Trump’s actions. Personally, I do not feel comfortable with this language. I wish I could give you a better answer, and perhaps after some research and reflection, I will. Thanks for the good and current question. As for what unrestricted AI will do to our souls, I think it could easily destroy them. Christy provided a sad story showing this possibility.
Hi Elysse,
You asked yourself, “Why are robotics becoming the answer to the soul’s need for connection and relationship?” I find this question to so important for us to wrestle with. Why are humans in such deep need of connection and finding themselves unsatisfied? As we look to AI for connection and relationship, will this make human-to-human connection even harder?
Hi Christy, I wish I had a good answer for this. If I were to guess, I would say dependence on AI will make it harder for human-to-human connections and relationships. This is apparent when friends sitting together remain glued to their phones with little interaction. My concern is that AI will give people what they want with little work. People won’t know how to navigate the nuances of human connection and relationships because they haven’t learned interpersonal skills. However, this could just be my pessimistic side talking. Perhaps it could strengthen human-to-human connections if AI is used to build connections and relationships.
Elysse, I appreciate your emphasis on the soul. How do you believe our understanding of the soul—its needs, uniqueness, and relationship to the divine—shapes our ethical and spiritual responsibilities as creators, especially in the development of artificial intelligence? How might this understanding help prevent us from substituting meaningful human and divine relationships with technological surrogates?
Hi Chad, Thank you for these great questions. When we understand the soul—its needs, uniqueness, and relationship to the divine—we can put things in their proper place—as much as we can for fallible people. I have a Bloomberg subscription, and my phone has been inundated with articles about recent updates on AI. During our Zoom chat yesterday, I thought, “This is an unnecessary frenzy.” We created this so we can stop it, but we won’t. I can’t speak much about the development of AI, as it’s above my pay grade. Still, I feel responsible for having good answers to what I believe about the uniqueness of the soul, God’s purpose for us, and the importance of relationships. I realize this does not answer your questions very well.