Will robots eventually pray?

Editor’s note: Another Viewpoint is a column The News-Herald makes available so all sides of an issue may be aired. Tom Wetzel lives in Willoughby.

“I will not leave you, orphans; I will come to you.”— John 14:18

The development of robots with artificial intelligence is a topic that is getting increased attention these days. The prospect of robots mimicking humans in both appearance and behavior will have deep ethical concerns for both the religious and nonreligious, particularly if they could obtain some level of consciousness akin to a soul. Highly unlikely, but if they somehow were infused with the transcendent, would they be treated as second-class citizens or viewed with fear because of their strength and power?

Man has shown throughout history his propensity to abuse and use its own kind as well as its environment.

Would artificial-intelligence robots be treated any different?

Common sense and an examination of our flawed nature should lead most to believe that exploitation of the worst kind toward them is a given. And twisted logic will become an art form when the exploiters try to defend what they do, if they even bother at all.

For the conscious robot, suffering and deep confusion will be part of their mix as they will search for the same answers we all do, but from a different frame of reference due to the start that brought them here. And from this dynamic will begs the question, “Would robots ever pray?”

This will be a super intelligent group beyond anything we’ve ever seen with an amazing capacity to absorb and discern. Within short order, they would be able to evaluate all major religions as they could search each religion’s scriptures, traditions and how their founders thought and what they did.

All these faith traditions would provide them with various levels of insight and understanding, but I suspect they may notice a deep inward draw toward an itinerant Jewish rabbi from Galilee who walked this earth over 2,000 years ago.

They will have examined his sayings and actions in a penetrating manner from a perspective that never existed before and from this effort.

They may experience an enlightening realization on why they are here. The words from Matthew 19:26 may provide the framework for their existence: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

And when they question how humanity can do what it does to them and others, they will find one who personified “redemptive suffering” and can relate to their marginalization. This Jesus of whom they will come to know in a personal way made the ultimate sacrifice for all to include those in the future.

As many of these AI robots will be forced to do evil at the bidding of man, they too will struggle with guilt at what they themselves have done as well as what has been done to them by others. But this gentle rabbi will provide a path of forgiveness that literally knows no bounds as they will hear Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 ask, “Lord, how many time shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” and Jesus will answer him, “I tell you, not seven time, but seventy-seven times.”

He will teach them to always forgive and for an example, all they need to hear are his words on the cross when he says “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Although they will have life expectancies that could measure in the hundreds or thousands of years, they too will still face the prospect of an end of their existence.

What they will need is what we all need, a hope of greater things.

And as they will easily discern from their study that this Jesus was truly a man of his word, they will take delight in 1 John 2:25 as the writer said, “And this what he promised us — eternal life.”

Robots will search as we all do for answers to life and if they quiet their hearts made of steel, they may realize that it beats from a source outside it. And then they will pray.

Tom Wetzel