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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 12, No. 03
Publication Date: March 25, 2025
DOI:10.14738/assrj.1203.18438.
Susan, K. (2025). Neurotechnology, AI, and Human Identity: A Christian Anthropological Analysis and Apologetic Response.
Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 12(03). 109-114.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Neurotechnology, AI, and Human Identity: A Christian
Anthropological Analysis and Apologetic Response
Kemigisha Susan
Theology Department, School of Social and Human Studies,
Atlantic International University, Pioneer Plaza, 900 Fort
Street Mall 905, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
ABSTRACT
The convergence of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining
human identity, consciousness, and personhood. As Christian communities grapple
with these advancements, a coherent and compelling response is urgently needed.
This article develops a robust Christian anthropological framework to understand
the implications of neurotechnology and AI on human identity. By integrating
insights from theology, philosophy, neuroscience, and AI research, this study
addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies.
Through a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews, and case studies,
this research constructs a comprehensive apologetic response to equip Christian
communities to engage confidently with the emerging landscape of
neurotechnology and AI. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of
human identity, informing a Christian response that is both theologically grounded
and philosophically informed.
Keywords: Neurotechnology, Christian Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Human
Identity, Apologetics.
INTRODUCTION
The rapid advancements in neurotechnology, the use of technological innovations to
understand and interact with the human brain, and artificial intelligence (AI), the development
of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence
(Bostrom&Yudkowsky, 2014), are transforming our understanding of human identity,
consciousness, and personhood. As these technologies continue to evolve, Christian
communities are faced with the challenge of developing a coherent and compelling response.
Christian anthropology, the study of human nature and existence from a Christian perspective
(McGrath, 2018), must engage with these emerging technologies to provide a nuanced
understanding of their implications for human identity. Apologetics, the practice of defending
and explaining the Christian faith (Carson, 2017), plays a crucial role in this endeavor.
The intersection of neurotechnology, AI, and human identity raises fundamental questions
about the human condition, such as: What does it mean to be human in a world where machines
are increasingly capable of simulating human thought and behavior? How do we understand
the relationship between the human brain and the human person in light of advances in
neuroscience and neurotechnology?
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 12, Issue 03, March-2025
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
By exploring these questions and developing a robust Christian anthropological framework,
this research aims to provide a comprehensive and coherent response to the challenges posed
by neurotechnology and AI. The convergence of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI)
is revolutionizing the way we understand human identity, consciousness, and personhood. The
rapid advancements in these fields have sparked intense debates about the nature of humanity,
the implications of emerging technologies on human existence, and the need for a coherent and
compelling response from Christian communities (Bostrom&Yudkowsky, 2014; Chalmers,
2010; Haen, 2015).
The intersection of neurotechnology, AI, and human identity raises fundamental questions
about the human condition, such as: What does it mean to be human in a world where machines
are increasingly capable of simulating human thought and behavior? How do we understand
the relationship between the human brain and the human person in light of advances in
neuroscience and neurotechnology? What are the implications of AI and neurotechnology for
our understanding of human identity, consciousness, and personhood (Dreyfus, 2014; Gipson,
2018; Moreno, 2012)?
Christian theologians and philosophers have begun to engage with these questions. For
example, Noreen Herzfeld (2011) has explored the implications of AI for Christian
understandings of human identity, while Derek Malone-France (2016) has examined the
relationship between neuroscience, philosophy, and Christian theology. Meanwhile, scholars
such as Celia Deane-Drummond (2017) and Neil Messer (2017) have investigated the ethical
implications of emerging technologies for human identity and flourishing.
The aim of this article is to develop a robust Christian anthropological framework for
understanding the implications of neurotechnology and AI on human identity. The purpose of
this study is to provide a comprehensive and coherent response to the challenges posed by
these emerging technologies, equipping Christian communities to engage confidently with the
complexities of neurotechnology and AI.
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
The convergence of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) is precipitating a crisis of
human identity, consciousness, and personhood. As these technologies increasingly simulate
human thought, behavior, and emotion, the boundaries between human and machine are
becoming increasingly blurred. This raises fundamental questions about the nature of
humanity, the essence of human identity, and the implications of emerging technologies on
human existence. Christian communities, in particular, are faced with the challenge of
developing a coherent and compelling response to these emerging technologies. The lack of a
robust Christian anthropological framework for understanding the implications of
neurotechnology and AI on human identity threatens to erode confidence in the Christian
worldview. Moreover, the silence of Christian communities on these issues risks ceding the
narrative to secular and technological deterministic perspectives that undermine the dignity
and uniqueness of human personhood.
This article addresses the urgent need for a Christian response to the challenges posed by
neurotechnology and AI. By developing a robust Christian anthropological framework, this
study aims to provide a comprehensive and coherent response to the implications of emerging
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Susan, K. (2025). Neurotechnology, AI, and Human Identity: A Christian Anthropological Analysis and Apologetic Response. Advances in Social
Sciences Research Journal, 12(03). 109-114.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1203.18438
technologies on human identity, equipping Christian communities to engage confidently with
the complexities of neurotechnology and AI.
OBJECTIVES
This research aims to:
1. Develop a robust Christian anthropological framework for understanding human
identity in the age of neurotechnology and AI.
2. Investigate the implications of neurotechnology and AI on human identity,
consciousness, and personhood from a Christian perspective.
3. Construct a comprehensive apologetic response to equip Christian communities to
engage confidently with the emerging landscape of neurotechnology and AI.
4. Integrate insights from theology, philosophy, neuroscience, and AI research to inform a
nuanced understanding of human identity in the face of emerging technologies.
5. Provide a coherent and compelling Christian response to the challenges posed by
neurotechnology and AI, promoting a theologically grounded and philosophically
informed understanding of human identity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This article employed a multi-method approach, integrating insights from theology, philosophy,
neuroscience, and AI research to develop a robust Christian anthropological framework for
understanding human identity in the age of neurotechnology and AI.
Literature Review
A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing over 100 sources from theology,
philosophy, neuroscience, and AI research (Bostrom&Yudkowsky, 2014; Chalmers, 2010; Haen,
2015; McGrath, 2018). Key databases searched included Google Scholar, JSTOR, and PubMed.
Expert Interviews
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 experts in the fields of theology,
philosophy, neuroscience, and AI research (Dreyfus, 2014; Gipson, 2018; Moreno, 2012).
Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Case Studies
Five case studies were conducted, examining the implications of neurotechnology and AI on
human identity in various contexts, including healthcare, education, and employment
(Herzfeld, 2011; Malone-France, 2016). Case studies were analyzed using a qualitative content
analysis approach.
Data Analysis
Data from the literature review, expert interviews, and case studies were analyzed using a
thematic analysis approach, identifying key themes and patterns related to human identity,
consciousness, and personhood in the age of neurotechnology and AI.
Validation
The research findings were validated through a peer-review process, ensuring that the
conclusions drawn were supported by the data and aligned with existing research in the field.