Artificial intelligence (AI) will change the human destiny irrevocably in the immediate future. It is capable of destroying and dehumanising human life as we know it. It is also capable of enhancing and empowering humanity. Everything depends on us human beings of today who are called to make a critical, cautious and ethical choice. AI permeates every dimension of human life, and this technology promises to grow exponentially. Accepting this as a fact, this book poses questions about the meaning of being human today. It questions the why of our existence, including its ambiguity, zest and meaning. Then it explores our collective ethical (including religious) responses, which continues to shape our destiny. It pleads for ethics of care and compassion so that humanity will be able to thrive, despite the dangers of collective hubris and nemesis. Contents Abbreviations Foreword General Introduction Introduction 1. Approaching AI Ethics 2. The Context: Three Significant Events 3. Overview of the Book 4. Personal Background Conclusion 1. Introducing Artificial Intelligence Introduction 1. Comprehending AI 2. Accelerating Changes Conclusion 2. Virtual and Real: Augmenting Reality and Enhancing Experience Introduction 1. Immersive Illusion and Virtual Reality 2. The Sword of Damocles 3. The Virtual and Simulated Universes 4. Computerised Intelligence Creating Its Own Alien Language 5. AI Developing a Culture of Its Own and Transmitting It to Humans Conclusion 3. War and Violence: Understanding Death and Destruction Introduction 1. The Third Revolution in Warfare 2. Frankenstein: The Hope for the Monster 3. Being Human in Frankenstein and Blade Runner Conclusion 4. Love and Relationship: Making Our Lives Meaningful Introduction 1. Artificial Intelligence and Therapy 2. Robot Sex and AI Relationships 3. Care and Compassion Conclusion 5. Body and Emotions: Approaching Intelligence and Consciousness Introduction 1. Bodily Feeling and Natural Intelligence 2. The Evolution of Consciousness 3. Uploading the “Self” Into Virtual Reality 4. AI and Philosopher’s Zombies 5. The Story of Replika 6. The Ship of Theseus 7. Self as Embodied, Engaged and Enchanted Conclusion 6. Competence without Comprehension: Asking the Why of Life Introduction 1. Understanding Understanding 2. From Pioneer to Sharpest Critic 3. Competence without Comprehension 4. The Spooky Genius of Artificial Intelligence Conclusion 7. Awe and Paradox: Gaming the Chaos of Human Life Introduction 1. The Game and Chaos of Life 2. The Awe and Paradox of Being Alive Conclusion 8. Community of Myths: Enacting Our Own Stories Introduction 1. Greek Myths about Robots and Drones 2. Pandora’s Box 3. The Human Aspirations Conclusion 9. Fiction and Imagination: Exploring our Collective Consciousness Introduction 1. Selected Novels on Artificial Intelligence 2. Highlights of I, Robot 3. Selected Movies on Artificial Intelligence 4. Ex Machina: The Medium as the Message Conclusion 10. Hubris and Nemesis: Fostering All-Inclusive and Sustainable Ethics Introduction 1. AI and Ethics 2. Intelligence for Domination 3. Hubris and Nemesis: The Inevitable Fall of the Arrogant Conclusion 11. God and Man: Divinisation of Humanity Introduction 1. The Last Question 2. Silicon Valley Approach to Religion 3. ‘Homo Deus’ and Our Godlike Future 4. Defeating Death through Transhumanism Conclusion: The Hubris of Defeating Death Concluding Article: Humanity Plus/Minus and Ai: Ethical Imperatives for Our Collective Destiny Bibliography Glossary Index About the Author: Prof Dr Kuruvilla Pandikattu SJ, is Chair Professor of JRD Tata Foundation on Business Ethics at XLRI, Jamshedpur. Holder of two doctorates, he was professor of Physics, Philosophy and Religion at Jnana Deepa, Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Pune, India. Author/Editor of more than 45 books and 210 academic articles, Pandikattu is a Jesuit priest and belonging to Dumka-Raiganj Province, India, open to all religious traditions. He has been fostering science religion dialogue through publications, conferences and workshops. Main topics of his research are: ethics, anthropology, AI, life-management and transhumanism