Religious studies approaches to the intersection of artificial intelligence and religion

Formations Analogous to Religion

Bibliographic Data

ID4372162
AuthorsBoris Rähme (0000-0001-8270-0833, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, corresponding author), Inken Prohl (0009-0006-4374-8168, Heidelberg University)
Year2025
Volume55
Issue3
Pages573-595
Publication date2025-07-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0048-721X • E-ISSN: 1096-1151
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0048721x.2025.2506893
OpenAlexW4411538989
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited55

This article investigates the intersections of religion and artificial intelligence (AI), exploring how AI evokes religious narratives, shapes religious practices, and generates formations analogous to religion. The concept of formations analogous to religion is developed as a critical framework for understanding AI’s religious and cultural implications. It is argued that AI’s cultural significance is often mediated through religious language and symbolism. The article provides an overview of current research and outlines working definitions of AI, religion, and formations analogous to religion. The contributions to this thematic issue are introduced by identifying their key points of convergence: the mystification of AI in narratives and discourses, which can obscure ethical issues and reinforce power imbalances; the integration of AI into religious practices, which can lead to novel formations analogous to religion; and the ‘re-enchantment’ of the digitally suffused world via AI’s perceived autonomy and agency, which creates new modes of human heteronomy

Intersection (aeronautics) · Sociology · Engineering · Media, Religion, Digital Communication · Philosophy · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Religious studies

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