Book Title: A (Holy?) Ghost in the Machine: Religion and Artificial Intelligence in Science-Fiction and Horror

Editor: Gregory Stevenson, York University

The genres of Science-Fiction and Horror have always been somewhat ahead of the curve in envisioning the possibilities and dangers of technology. With the rapidly increasing advancements in the field of artificial intelligence, those possibilities and dangers are quickly moving out of the realm of science fiction into science fact, leading to an explosion of works addressing AI in both film (Ex Machina, The Creator, iRobot, Blade Runner, I Am Mother, M3gan, etc.) and television (Westworld, Battlestar Galactica, Black Mirror, Person of Interest, Human, etc.). Certain fundamental questions that science fiction and horror have wrestled with for decades are now becoming critical questions for religious thinkers as we attempt to navigate this growing technological reality.

Science Fiction highlights the accomplishments of human ingenuity and, especially when combined with horror, shines a light on its dark underbelly. The rapid advancements in AI today fill people with the hope of what can be accomplished and the fear of what may be accomplished. When at their best, both science fiction and horror pose the question “What if?” as a means of examining our hopes and fears and prodding us to deeper philosophical and theological reflection. This project seeks proposals for essays that will lead us down that path of reflection. Potential areas of exploration include but are not limited to:

*What AI reveals about the nature and purpose of humanity

*How AI affects our understanding of the soul

*How AI causes us to reflect on the relationship between creator and created

*AI and the self-destructive nature of humanity

*The threat of AI as an eschatological or apocalyptic agent

*AI and Monster Theory (Is AI a “monster”?)

*How horror captures our societal and existential fears about AI

Submission Guidelines:

Please submit a proposal of roughly 300-700 words by Oct. 1, 2025 that describes the topic, argument, and methodology for your essay. Include also a CV or bio that includes any relevant publications. Submissions should be submitted to gstevenson@york.edu.

Additional information and timeline will be provided upon selection.