ITEST Webinar
AI and Sin: How Today’s Technology Motivates Evil
Saturday, April 5, 2025
7:00 am – 9:00 am (Pacific)
8:00 am – 10:00 am (Mountain)
9:00 am – 11:00 am (Central)
10:00 am – noon (Eastern)
Register at the bottom of this page for this webinar.
Webinar fee: $10
No charge for: ITEST members, clergy, seminarians, women and men religious
Donations are appreciated.
Our presenters
Christopher M. Reilly, ThD
AI and Sin: How Today’s Technology Motivates Evil
Christopher M. Reilly writes and speaks in regard to a Christian response to advanced technology, and he has written numerous articles on bioethics and moral theology and philosophy. Chris holds a doctor of theology degree and three masters degrees in philosophy, theology, and public affairs. He resides in the greater Washington, DC region. His website is ChristopherMReilly.com. Chris is Associate Director of ITEST.
Abstract
Artificial intelligence technology (AI) motivates persons’ engagement in sin. With this startling argument drawn from Catholic theology and technological insight, Christopher M. Reilly, Th.D. takes on both critics and proponents of AI who see it as essentially a neutral tool that can be used with good or bad intentions. More specifically, Reilly demonstrates that AI strongly encourages the vice of instrumental rationality, which in turn leads the developers, producers, and users of AI and its machines toward acedia, one of the “seven deadly sins.”
Jordan Joseph Wales, PhD
A Response to Chris Reilly’s Presentation
Jordan Wales is the Kuczmarski Professor of Theology at Hillsdale College. With degrees in engineering, cognitive science, and theology, his scholarship focuses on early Christianity as well as contemporary theological questions relating to artificial intelligence. He is a member of the AI Research Group for the Holy See’s Centre for Digital Culture, under the Dicastery for Culture and Education; a fellow of the Centre for Humanity and the Common Good; and a fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion.
Abstract
Dr. Wales will respond to the content of Chris’s presentation, and he offer some further reflections.
Webinar resources
Chris Reilly’s Resources
Radio interview on Relevant Radio, Trending with Timmerie: https://relevantradio.com/2025/01/ai-how-to-help-fire-victims/
Chris Reilly’s website: https://christophermreilly.com/
Jordan Wales’ Resources
https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/what-will-a-future-with-androids-among-us-look-like/
https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/the-image-and-the-idol-a-theological-reflection-on-ai-bias/
https://jmt.scholasticahq.com/article/91230-encountering-artificial-intelligence-ethical-and-anthropological-investigations