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Robots and AI: the Challenge to Interdisciplinary Theology

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Robots and AI: the Challenge to Interdisciplinary Theology Robots and AI: The Challenge to Interdisciplinary Theology by Erin Elizabeth Green A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Emmanuel College and the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies of the Toronto School of Theology. In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College. © Copyright by Erin Elizabeth Green 2018 Robots and AI: The Challenge to Interdisciplinary Theology Erin Elizabeth Green Doctor of Philosophy University of St. Michael’s College 2018 Abstract The growing presences of increasingly sophisticated and humanlike robots and artificial intelligence (AI) brings about new theological challenges. In military, biomedical, industrial and other applications, these technologies are changing how humans think about themselves, their futures, and how their societies are organized. Such an unstoppable and global force requires scrutiny through a new interdisciplinary theological lens. Some researchers have made tentative theological responses, but this work is missing cohesion and leaves open many crucial questions. Insights from contextual and ecological theologies make significant contributions in addressing gaps in interdisciplinary theological discourse about robots and AI. This thesis applies a postfoundationalist approach, especially as expressed by Wentzel van Huyssteen, to the transversal intersection between robots, AI, and theological reasoning. Contextual analysis complements this methodology. Study of four key roboticists and AI researchers—Hans Moravec, Rodney Brooks, Cynthia Breazeal, and Heather Knight—illustrate the complexity of this field, including important methodological differences within the robotics and AI community. Diverse and disparate theological literature on robots and AI is collated into ii two broad types of responses. The first has Anne Foerst’s work as its hub, the second Noreen Herzfeld’s. Critical engagement with these theological contributions makes clear the way to a third theological approach, one that is yet-undeveloped in theological writing. The fourth chapter details this approach through the application of insights from ecological theology to the vision of the human found in robotics research, detailing the kind of contextual analysis required to radically enhance interdisciplinary discourse in this area, and through further consideration of the historical and methodological issues that will shape these questions in the years to come. This process of collating and analyzing both scientific and theological literature on humanoid robots and AI spurs growth in a to-date disorganized area of theological enquiry. It identifies and provides a first analysis of some of the most pressing ethical aspects of robotics and AI research, and develops a structure for further debate about and engagement with these issues. Importantly this thesis emphasizes the practical way theologians, churches, and civil society can respond to these unprecedented historical forces. iii Acknowledgements This research project—and most of those leading to it—have been made possible by the never-ending support, friendship, and good humour of my dear friend and supervisor, Dr. Michael Bourgeois. Credit for any good that comes from this work goes as much to him as to its author. I’m also incredibly grateful to all those who’ve taken time to read sections of this project or talk about robots and AI with me, up to and including its defence. This has helped me stay connected to the work, even when the demands of other parts of my life pulled me away from it. Of special note, of course, are professors Dr. Dennis O’Hara and Dr. Tom Reynolds who helped with my proposal, served on my committee, and have been an instrumental part of my education at TST. I appreciate the time and care they took with the pages and paragraphs that follow. Big thanks to my friends Chris Zeichmann and Michael Buttrey who were essential in overcoming practical and bureaucratic barriers in finishing a Canadian degree from my Belgian home. I was also pleased to revisit postfoundationalism and the work of Wentzel van Huyssteen in this project, which made this work entirely possible and much more interesting and constructive. I am also grateful for the steadfast steadfastness of my beloved pet, Fattie. Through 17 years of stress, uncertainty, poverty, three countries, 13 apartments and even more roommates, she has been an unchanging presence amid sometimes too-much change—an orb of blessed indifference. Though appearing late to this PhD game, my partner in life and all that goes with it has seen me through the struggle of finishing this beast of a project, while at the same time supporting me as I cope with and delight in all things that come with a transatlantic move. My dear Winny, I so look forward to our new life together post-PhD. Finally, to Cleo, whose maternity leave I selfishly used to finish this project. Thank you, baby girl—now let’s go to the zoo. iv Contents Introduction . 1 The Quest for a Counterpart . 1 Alan Turing and the Turing Test . 12 Rationale . 14 Method . 20 Objectives . 26 Overview . 30 Implications . 33 Chapter One . 35 Introduction . 35 Hans Moravec . 37 Intelligence as computing power . 40 Understanding intelligence, understanding the human . 42 Embodiment . 45 Mind and evolution . 46 The importance of perception . 50 Conclusion . 52 Rodney Brooks . 53 Robots in history . 54 The importance of perception . 57 Functional interpretation . 59 Situated and embodied robots . 61 Cynthia Breazeal . 64 Relational interpretation . 66 Weak AI, strong impression . 68 Motivations . 70 Heather Knight . 72 Social media . 74 Robot optimism . 75 Conclusion . 78 Chapter Two . 81 Introduction . 81 Robotics and robots as self-discovery . 85 Robots as Stories . 91 Robots as Symbols . 94 Embodiment . 97 Embodiment in community . 106 God . 109 Imago Dei . 111 Tillich’s influence . 113 Conclusion . 115 v Chapter Three . 118 Introduction . 118 Intelligence and the Imago Dei . 119 Substantive approach . 122 Functional approach . 125 Relational approach . 129 Other contributions . 138 Ethics and Context . 139 Actual hybridity . 141 Virtual hybridity . ..
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