AI and Theology: The Battle of Metaphors and the Fate of Humanity

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape the prevailing imageries of knowledge, identity, and values of humans. These emerging developments intensify the battle of metaphors in the contemporary Theo-tech domain. This study examines the growing tension between AI and theological metaphors in a comparative analytical method, producing insights through placing Biblical and Islamic perspectives at the center of contemporary debates with critical data studies. The study argues that AI metaphors often reduce human life to data points and probabilities, distorting the depth, dignity, and transcendence features of humans. Theological metaphors stand in stark contrast to this, presenting humanity as being relational and preserving its alterity, hope, and freedom. The paper concludes by suggesting that theology must continue to create counter-metaphors capable of meeting the challenges brough forth by AI metaphors and safeguarding human distinctiveness.