Reading Psalm 115: 4-8 In Relation To Artificial Intelligence in Yoruba- African Context

Abstract

This study examined Psalms 115:4-8 in relation to artificial intelligence (AI), in Yoruba - African context. The study explored how this text is understood and expressed in ancient Israel and in Yoruba - African tradition. This study considered whether contemporary AI reliance mirrors the misplaced trust condemned by the psalmist and examines how Yoruba spiritual beliefs shape the ethical perception of AI. African biblical hermeneutics that provide useful lens for rereading the text was adopted for the study. It was discovered that the text critiques the reliance on human - made objects devoid of life and the dangers of misplaced trust. AI is presented as a potential ―modern idol,‖ wherein people place faith in a technology that lacks genuine autonomy and spirit. In Yoruba culture, material objects often carry symbolic or spiritual significance, making exploring AI’s role and ethical boundaries particularly significant. While AI can offer profound benefits, it remains a creation of human hands, inherently limited and devoid of proper spiritual agency. A balanced approach to AI that values technological progress without compromising foundational spiritual values is essential for a future where AI complements human dignity and spiritual reverence and faith.