ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE SOUL: THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON POSTHUMAN CIVILIZATION

Abstract

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not merely a technological leap but a paradigm shift in how humanity conceptualizes intelligence, consciousness, and the very notion of the soul. This paper examines the theological implications of AI from the standpoint of Islamic and comparative religious thought, critically engaging with the concept of posthuman civilization. It reflects on the ontological distinction between human and machine intelligence, debates surrounding the presence or absence of the soul in AI entities, and explores the moral and eschatological consequences posed by the rise of sentient machines. Drawing on classical theological sources and contemporary AI developments, this paper aims to stimulate a meaningful dialogue between faith and technology in an age of accelerating digital transcendence.