Cura Animarum: A Theological-Ethical Assessment of the Use of Social Robots in the Healthcare System - Paperback

As artificial intelligence advances, healthcare faces a profound ethical question: Can machines truly care? This book critically examines the rise of AI-driven social robots--"carebots"--in patient care, evaluating their benefits and potential harms through the lens of Christian ethics. While AI may enhance efficiency and offer support in specific healthcare contexts, it also risks dehumanizing care, replacing genuine human presence with technological substitutes. Grounded in a theology of covenant care, this work builds its ethical argument around the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of human compassion. It presents theological and ethical criteria to guide the responsible use of AI in healthcare, ensuring that technology serves rather than supplants the dignity of human relationships. This book is essential reading for theologians, ethicists, healthcare professionals, and AI developers navigating the intersection of faith, ethics, and emerging technology. As healthcare increasingly integrates AI, Cura Animarum challenges readers to consider where technology supports human dignity and where it threatens to erode the essence of genuine care. Is AI merely a tool, or does it risk redefining what it means to care?