Bengaluru: United Theological College (UTC), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the National Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), will organise a two-day National Research Seminar titled ‘AI and Religion: Intersectional Explorations’ on September 2 and 3, 2026, bringing together scholars, researchers and professionals to examine the growing relationship between artificial intelligence, religion and ethics.
Organised in association with several higher education institutions in Bengaluru, the seminar aims to provide an interdisciplinary platform for discussions on how AI is transforming religious life, spirituality, morality and society while promoting dialogue towards a just, compassionate and sustainable future.
Seminar to examine AI’s impact on religion
With artificial intelligence increasingly influencing communication, healthcare, education, economics and governance, organisers say it has become essential to explore its implications beyond technology.
The seminar will discuss how AI is reshaping religious experiences through digital faith communities, virtual worship, AI-assisted interpretation of religious texts and evolving spiritual practices. It will also examine ethical concerns surrounding truth, justice, human dignity, ecological responsibility and the future relationship between human intelligence and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Call for research papers
Researchers have been invited to submit 250-word abstracts in English by July 31, 2026, to [email protected]. Selected authors will be informed of acceptance on August 5 and will be invited to submit full research papers.
The seminar is open to faculty members, researchers, doctoral scholars, postgraduate students, independent scholars and professionals interested in AI, ethics, theology and religion.
Leading institutions to participate
The event will feature participation from prominent academic institutions, including Christ University, St. Joseph’s University, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Sampurna Montfort College, SAIACS, CISRS and several other institutions.
Research presentations will cover topics such as AI and human intelligence, digital religion, deepfake technology, autonomous weapons, psychological wellbeing, environmental sustainability, data colonialism, automation, unemployment and the works of leading thinkers including Yuval Noah Harari, Robert Geraci, David Noble and Ray Kurzweil.
Held under the theme ‘AI and Religion: Intersectional Explorations’, the seminar carries the message: “May wisdom guide our technology, and compassion shape our future.”