What Should Religious Education Do in the Age of AI?: A Preliminary Study on the Direction of Religious Education for Humans-AI Coexistence

ABSTRACT

[Objejctive] This study seeks to explore the role and direction of religious education in the AI era, proposing an educational path that enables humans to wisely coexist and collaborate with AI technology, preventing human subjugation to it. The main objective is to examine the practical role of religious education in fostering moral values and the subjective power of the human spirit in response to the rapid development of AI.[Contents] This research reviews various ethical problems and educational issues arising from the advancement of AI technology, such as deepfakes, algorithmic bias, data privatization, and the deepening of educational inequality. It also examines domestic and international responses, including the EU’s AI Act and UNESCO’s recommendations. Based on this review, the study proposes three directions for religious education rooted in Won-Buddhist thought for the coexistence of humanity and AI.[Conclusions] Religious education in the AI era must assume the responsibility of safeguarding human dignity within the civilization of science and technology, and achieving wise coexistence with AI and global symbiosis. By establishing an ethical perspective through the Four Grace, strengthening subjectivity through Developing Self-Power, and cultivating character and spirituality through Mind Study, religious education will contribute to the virtuous use of AI technology and the construction of a peaceful world.