NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL SACRED: EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE EXERCISE OF THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN INTERNATIONAL LAW

Abstract

The rapid proliferation and increasing sophistication of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies present novel challenges and opportunities across various societal domains, including the realm of human rights. This paper examines the multifaceted implications of AI for the exercise of the right to freedom of religion, as enshrined and protected under international human rights law. While AI offers potential benefits, such as facilitating access to religious texts and fostering interfaith dialogue, it also raises critical concerns regarding algorithmic bias, surveillance, thought manipulation, and the potential for AI-driven systems to either infringe upon individual and collective religious practices or to reshape the very nature of belief and spiritual expression. Through a critical analysis of existing international legal instruments and emerging AI ethical frameworks, this research identifies key areas of tension and proposes conceptual pathways for ensuring that technological advancement does not undermine, but rather upholds, the fundamental right to freedom of religion in the digital age. This paper argues for a proactive legal and ethical discourse to develop robust safeguards and interpretive guidelines for navigating the complex interplay between AI innovation and the protection of religious liberty.