Religious and Spiritual Experience in the Digital Age: Unprecedented Evolutionary Forces New Directions in Pastoral Theology Conference (Honoring Lewis Rambo)

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are changing what it means to be human. Given our increasing merger with machines, we have entered an era of unprecedented change. Theological reflection is needed, sooner rather than later, focusing on the potential existential risk and opportunity and what will constitute spiritual experience in an age of increasing technological enhancement. Preserving human spirituality, as we have known it, will require intentional focus on strengthening the neural circuitry associated with attentional control, mindful and compassionate awareness, and social and relational intelligence, even as we put to good use the emerging digital technologies.