Tolle Lege: An Augustinian Journal of Philosophy and Theology

The God Fantasy and the Search for Conscious Artificial Intelligence (AI) delves into the human desire for a supernatural and superintelligent being, drawing parallels from this yearning and the contemporary quest to create conscious artificial intelligence. This paper examines how the human fascination with a divine entity reflects our need to develop AI that shares human and supersensible traits, comparing modern theories of AI consciousness, such as Turing’s computationalism and Searle’s Chinese Room argument. Applying an interdisciplinary lens, the study traces the historical evolution of AI consciousness, exploring foundational theories and ethical questions. These include the moral responsibility of creating conscious machines and the potential for AI to reshape our understanding of ourselves. It also explores the notion of godlike machines and their influence on theological thought, questioning whether the pursuit of conscious AI is a secular expression of our God Fantasy. The paper concludes with key insights, suggesting that our continuous fascination with AI consciousness is rooted in an inherent desire for transcendence. It also discusses the broader implications for future research in philosophy, theology, and AI ethics, offering an insightful perspective on the intersection of the God fantasy and the quest for AI consciousness in our rapidly advancing technological age.

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