From authorized specialists to interfaith researchers, extra elements of our day by day conversations are incorporating considerations about religion, science, and AI.
Notably, researchers on the University of Minnesota created the world”s first synthetic cell with a complete life cycle. Built entirely from non-living chemical components, the cell is sparking the launch of a new institution that will share the technical infrastructure with other scientists.
Thomas Johnston, a member of the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology Steering Committee, provides an overview of Magnifica Humanitas, a new papal encyclical on artificial intelligence. The letter by Pope Leo XIV is already influencing workplace dynamics. Stinson, a U.S. law firm, reports an increasing number of employees seeking religious accommodations to avoid using AI tools, citing concerns rooted in Magnifica Humanitas. Employers must now navigate Title VII obligations, balancing sincere religious objections with operational costs, while unions and workers increasingly treat AI as a collective bargaining issue.
Globally, researchers and faith leaders are developing new tools to measure how AI represents religion. Through initiatives such as the G20 Interfaith Forum’s AI and Human Flourishing series, scholars are building benchmarks to detect bias, stereotypes, and omissions in AI systems, aiming for multi‑faith standards that ensure technology supports human dignity and flourishing.
We hope you enjoy our summer issue! We’ll be publishing again in early September.
Susan Barreto, Editor
Covalence
Susan Barreto
Susan is an writer with a long-time curiosity in faith and science. She presently edits Covalence, the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology’s on-line journal. She has written articles in The Lutheran and the Zygon Center for Religion and Science publication. Susan is a board member for the Center for Advanced Study of Religion and Science, the supporting group for the Zygon Center and the Zygon Journal. She additionally co-wrote Our Bodies Are Selves with Dr. Philip Hefner and Dr. Ann Pederson.