Shaw University’s divinity school in Raleigh, North Carolina, plans to offer a Doctor of Education degree focused on Artificial Intelligence and Moral Agency starting next year, according to an announcement by the institution’s leadership. The program received regional accreditation approval in June and is pursuing additional validation from theological school accreditors. Officials at Shaw, a historically Black theological institution founded after the Civil War to serve formerly enslaved people, position the initiative as an extension of the school’s historical mission centered on literacy and community leadership.
The doctoral program would be the first of its kind within a network of 280 graduate theological schools across the United States and Canada, according to the Association of Theological Schools. Several other divinity schools have begun offering individual courses in AI ethics, while Notre Dame’s Institute for Ethics and the Common Good recently received a substantial grant to develop resources for clergy and religious institutions navigating artificial intelligence challenges. Theologians and ethicists argue that schools of divinity offer valuable perspectives on AI ethics by drawing on centuries of reflection about human agency, conscience development, and the responsible use of power.
Reflection on artificial intelligence within religious contexts has expanded, with Pope Leo XIV releasing a letter earlier this year addressing concerns about AI potentially replacing humans in professional roles and about technology firms unilaterally establishing ethical standards for artificial intelligence. Faculty members at other theological schools emphasize the importance of critically examining whose interests AI systems serve and who benefits from technological development decisions.
Shaw’s new program will accept candidates holding master’s degrees in arts or divinity along with five years of professional experience in pastoral ministry or related fields. The school reports that at least 66 individuals have expressed interest in the program. The degree is expected to take three to four years to complete, with courses delivered online. The divinity school is recruiting faculty with AI certifications to teach in the program.
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