CEIAI Governance Database
Back to the database
Record STMT-W02A82CAdvisory

Ethical, Legal, and Social Concerns in the Application of Social Robots in Religious Settings

Report Institutional policyGlobalin force

This chapter examines the ethical, legal, and social concerns surrounding the application of social robots in religious settings, using the Catholic robot SanTO as a case study. It explores the theoretical basis for deploying robot technology in religious spaces and analyzes the associated issues from an ethical design perspective. The text provides a general introduction, an ELSI analysis, and conclusions for designing robots for religious use.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Cambridge University PressOther
Publisher
Legal forceAdvisory
Under whose authorityInstitutional policy
Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

Researchers and academicsGeneral publicReligious community

Researchers, academics, and individuals interested in the intersection of robotics, ethics, and religion.

Sectors
Religion and culture · religious settings and social robotsResearch and science · robotics research

What the document contains

What's covered

The text covers the ethical, legal, and social implications of using social robots in religious environments, focusing on a case study of the Catholic robot SanTO. It explores the theoretical basis for applying robotics technology to religious spaces and evaluates design considerations.

What's missing

The text does not provide binding statutory regulations, formal legal enforcement mechanisms, or comprehensive technical deployment codes.

Key takeaways
  • There is a growing research interest in integrating religion within the robotics community.
  • SanTO serves as a case study for the world's first robot designed to be Catholic.
  • The application of social robots in religious spaces introduces various ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI).
  • Ethical design perspectives are necessary when deploying robot technology in religious settings.
Outline
· General Introduction
· ELSI Analysis
· Conclusions from an Ethical Design Perspective
Issued7 December 2024
Length2,450 words
FormatNot recorded
Scopeglobal

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

0/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

Summary

screening score · 2026-10-23

Fairness

0/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

Summary

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

0/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

Summary

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

0/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

Summary

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

0/5

Protection of personal data and private life

Summary

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

0/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

Summary

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

0/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

Summary

screening score · 2026-10-23

Impact Assessment

2/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

While the application of this technology has many potential benefits for users, the use and design of religious or other social robots raises a number of ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI).

Summary

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

robotics religion ethics social_robots legal_concerns