About this episode

The episode explores the intersection of AI and spirituality, featuring discussions on moral guidance and the potential spiritual implications of technology.

As humans increasingly turn to AI for moral guidance and answers to life’s biggest questions, the lines between technology and religion are blurring—even leading some in Silicon Valley to wonder if AI might have a spiritual life of its own or be destined to change the world’s religious landscape. What does the impulse to see a god in the machine reveal about our enduring hunger for meaning, belonging, and spiritual growth? Dave explores these questions and more with psychologist Paul Bloom, author Elizabeth Oldfield, and theologian Paolo Benanti in a discussion recorded live at the 2026 Aspen Ideas Festival. Paul Bloom is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University. He's also the author of seven books, including his latest “ Psych: The Story of the Human Mind .” Elizabeth Oldfield hosts “ The Sacred ” podcast, dedicated to conversations about being human, finding wisdom, building a more tolerant society, and what spirituality and religion might offer in answer to those questions. She is also the author of Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times . Paolo Benanti is a…

People in this episode

Host: Dave

Guests: Paul Bloom, Elizabeth Oldfield, Paolo Benanti

Topics covered

• AI and spirituality
• moral guidance
• technology and religion
• meaning and belonging
• spiritual growth
• ethics of AI

Keywords

• AI
• spirituality
• moral philosophy
• technology ethics
• meaning
• belonging
• Paul Bloom
• Elizabeth Oldfield
• Paolo Benanti

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Toronto, Yale University, The Sacred, Luiss Guido Carli University, Seattle University, Vatican

Books & works: Psych: The Story of the Human Mind, Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times

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