Chief Editors: Mr. Irshadullah Asim Mohammed, Dr. Yogesh Mohan Gosavi, and Prof. (Dr.) Vineeta Kaur Saluja
Associate Editor: Mrs. Sruthi S
Co-Editors: Dr. S. Rajeswari, Dr. Nikhil Saini, and Ms. Atreyee Banerjee
ISBN: 978-81-985805-1-1
Chapter: 64
Author: Ms. Noble A. Paliath
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/mrnc64/321
Abstract
The question of AI’s spiritual relevance is intricate and multidimensional. The Good Place, an NBC sitcom and popular television series developed by Michael Schur, provides a unique platform to examine the relationship between spiritual development and artificial intelligence, providing a new viewpoint on how technology might support people’s quest for moral and spiritual excellence. The focus of the series is the afterlife, where people are assigned to either the Good Place or the Bad Place based on their deeds on Earth. Janet, a perceptive AI-powered character created to help the inhabitants and guarantee their wellbeing, is a crucial component of this alien environment. As an all-powerful entity that can learn, change, and exhibit human-like emotions, Janet is the epitome of artificial intelligence. Everything that the humans in the afterlife require, including food, beverages, memories, and even new bodies, may be produced by Janet. The protagonists’ personal paths toward moral development and self-improvement are reflected in Janet’s transformation from a simple information repository to a sentient entity. The show’s major theme—that moral decision-making and personal growth are crucial even in the afterlife—is further supported by this confluence of human and AI development. The show also poses important queries concerning the existence of a higher spiritual dimension and the nature of awareness.
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