By Elizaveta Plis, Boniuk Institute Undergraduate Scholar
October 23, 2026. Scholars from thirteen institutions gathered at Rice University for a two-day conference to usher in a new initiative, Responsible Futures: Religion, Morality, and New Scientific Technologies. Led by the Boniuk Institute in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego, and funded by the Templeton Religion Trust (TRT 2024-335323), Responsible Futures is a $2.9M international research project comprised of 15 projects and seeks to investigate the way religion shapes the way we think about technologies across three thematic fields--artificial intelligence, human biotechnologies, and the natural world.
This conference marked the end of Rice's AI Week, which spotlighted events focused on building skills and fostering honest dialogue about the future of artificial intelligence. Presentations explored diverse topics from using large language models for prayer to the way defunct extractive infrastructures linger in the cultural imagination. Collectively, these questions address how societies can leverage technology to progress while preserving the relationships that define us, and who ultimately gets to make those decisions.
Drawing on perspectives from sociology, theology, anthropology, philosophy, and psychology, scholars offered cross-disciplinary feedback to their colleagues' presentations, contributing to a vibrant intellectual atmosphere. Recently, tech pioneer Bill Gates warned of two decades of widespread disruption before AI brings "true abundance." Though this is just one prediction, many argue that humanity stands at the precipice of an uncertain future. As such, broadening the scope of this discourse is essential. This grant allows researchers to bring more voices to the table. Because these technological transitions will affect all areas of life, it is crucial to examine human flourishing, moral boundaries, and our mutual responsibilities to one another and the biosphere int eh context of this innovation. Examining these dynamics through spiritual frameworks invites researchers to shift focus from being confined to the realm of optimization to focus on flourishing for all.
The Boniuk Institute looks forward to working alongside scholars from around the globe to cultivate this research community and is eager to co-lead this collaborative effort as it grows, forges connections, and challenges assumptions about how communities navigate technological change.
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Responsible Futures: Religion, Morality, and New Scientific Technologies is funded by the Templeton Religion Trust (TRT 2024-33523)