Artificial Intelligence and Religious Experience
The 2026 Summer Conference on Religious Experience supported by The Alister Hardy Trust
Conference on AI and Religious Experience
presented by the editorial team of the Journal for the Study of Religious Experience
to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the journal
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly being implemented within our increasingly technology-mediated world. The 'digital turn' means that researchers can make use of digital research methodologies and e-tech to propel the anthropology of religious experience forward. The intersections between digital technologies, ethnography and fieldwork are central to how existing memory archives may shape and provide the lens for AI’s application within the fields of religious and spiritual experiences. Five short presentations, followed by open discussion, will focus on the theme of AI and religious experience whilst also encompassing a wider range of relevant topics and ideas.
Programme
Online access will be available from 13:50
14:00 Welcome
Prof Leslie Francis, chair of The Alister Hardy Trust
Prof Bettina Schmidt, editor-in-chief, The Journal for the Study of Religious Experience
14:10-15:20 AI and Religious Experience
Round Table with short presentations by contributors to the JSRE tenth anniversary edition, chaired by Prof Bettina Schmidt
Introduction to the speakers by Leah Black, assistant editor, JSRE
Dr. Mara Steenhuisen, editor, JSRE
Digital avatars and experimental generative AI: At your religious service?
Dr. Laura Patryas, University of Manchester
Summoning an angel: Exploring AI's role in religion, spirituality and psycho-spiritual healing
Samantha Lee Treasure, University of Virginia
From chatbots to astral intelligences: Virtual thinking and the emergence of AI cosmologies
Accursio Graffeo, University of Turin
It’s all written in this Book. Self-generated AI religious experiences
Jennifer Uzzell, independent researcher
Discussion
15:20-15:45 Open discussion, questions and answers
chaired by Prof Bettina Schmidt
15:45 Final reflection from Prof Leslie Francis
16:00 End of Conference
The 2026 Summer Conference on Religious Experience supported by The Alister Hardy Trust
Conference on AI and Religious Experience
presented by the editorial team of the Journal for the Study of Religious Experience
to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the journal
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly being implemented within our increasingly technology-mediated world. The 'digital turn' means that researchers can make use of digital research methodologies and e-tech to propel the anthropology of religious experience forward. The intersections between digital technologies, ethnography and fieldwork are central to how existing memory archives may shape and provide the lens for AI’s application within the fields of religious and spiritual experiences. Five short presentations, followed by open discussion, will focus on the theme of AI and religious experience whilst also encompassing a wider range of relevant topics and ideas.
Programme
Online access will be available from 13:50
14:00 Welcome
Prof Leslie Francis, chair of The Alister Hardy Trust
Prof Bettina Schmidt, editor-in-chief, The Journal for the Study of Religious Experience
14:10-15:20 AI and Religious Experience
Round Table with short presentations by contributors to the JSRE tenth anniversary edition, chaired by Prof Bettina Schmidt
Introduction to the speakers by Leah Black, assistant editor, JSRE
Dr. Mara Steenhuisen, editor, JSRE
Digital avatars and experimental generative AI: At your religious service?
Dr. Laura Patryas, University of Manchester
Summoning an angel: Exploring AI's role in religion, spirituality and psycho-spiritual healing
Samantha Lee Treasure, University of Virginia
From chatbots to astral intelligences: Virtual thinking and the emergence of AI cosmologies
Accursio Graffeo, University of Turin
It’s all written in this Book. Self-generated AI religious experiences
Jennifer Uzzell, independent researcher
Discussion
15:20-15:45 Open discussion, questions and answers
chaired by Prof Bettina Schmidt
15:45 Final reflection from Prof Leslie Francis
16:00 End of Conference
Good to know
Highlights
- 2 hours
- Online