Participation in Artificial Intelligence: Toward a Tillichian Reading of AI-Produced Images

This paper argues that Paul Tillich's theology of art is an effective approach to assessing images generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Tillich's theology of art and concept of participation demonstrate its limits and provide a helpful supplement to the dominant approach of focusing on AI creativity and consciousness, particularly through the framework of philosopher Margaret Boden. In Tillich's theology of art, there is an existential experience of being grasped into participation in the ground of being through the artwork that comes through participation in the art. In participating in the art, one also participates in that artist's contextual answer to the question of ultimate meaning. This article finds that AI-generated images, on their own, lack intentionality and desire to express participation in the spiritual presence and so do not provide this "religious style." Rather, the participation of a human artist crafting text prompts and curating the produced images is necessary along with the AI software.