Theologizing on Artificial Intelligence in Elderly Care.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Theology
• Artificial Intelligence Ethics

Background:

• Global population aging necessitates innovative healthcare solutions.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a key technology in healthcare augmentation.
• Elderly care (EC) is a growing field where AI integration is being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To interpret the use of AI in elderly care (EC) within the framework of Catholic theological tradition.
• To address the existing discourse gap regarding AI in EC and theological perspectives.
• To stimulate further academic and theological discussion on this topic.

Main Methods:

• Examination of global aging population trends.
• Overview of current AI applications in healthcare, with a focus on EC.
• Exploration of prominent ethical considerations surrounding AI in EC.
• Theological reflection on AI for EC, referencing magisterial teachings on aging and AI.

Main Results:

• The study identifies a growing reliance on AI for elderly care due to demographic shifts.
• It highlights the need for ethical frameworks to guide AI implementation in EC.
• Theological analysis provides a lens for evaluating AI in EC based on Catholic teachings.

Conclusions:

• Integrating AI in elderly care requires careful consideration of ethical and theological dimensions.
• Catholic theological tradition offers valuable insights for navigating the complexities of AI in EC.
• Further interdisciplinary dialogue is crucial for responsible AI adoption in elderly care.