Analyzing the Anthropological Implications of Artificial Intelligence through the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI

Artificial intelligence (AI) entered all aspects of human life and became a ubiquitous presence we interact with daily, influencing or even determining, among other things, our decisions, social interactions, and the digital content we follow. Add to this the recent breathtaking advances such as generative AI models and the hype heralding the imminence of Artificial General Intelligence, and we are facing one of the most significant challenges in history for our society and understanding of what it means to be human. In this context, this work explores the anthropological implications of AI by drawing on the theology of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI a prominent figure who, through his writings and actions, has contributed significantly to the dialogue between theology, philosophy, and the natural sciences. This article continues this dialogue and examines how AI challenges the creative potential of human beings and how this potential risks losing meaning and direction in the absence of God. After analyzing the relationship between the human and the artificial, the article looks at the performative-informative paradigm shift driven by AI in today’s digital society and the challenges of living in a machine-readable world that aims to reduce people to numbers. Finally, the article concludes by discussing how the way we relate to AI affects our relationship with God and each other.