The Image of God in the Kingdom of Technology

What does it mean to be human and created in the image of God at a time when we are being reduced to data and algorithms?

This conference explores why the ancient myth of Prometheus still matters for thinking about technology, religion, philosophy, politics, and what it means to be human. In Plato’s Protagoras, Prometheus steals fire for humanity. The fire represents human skills, technology, and the abilities that make social life possible. These gifts help make up for what humans originally lack, but they also raise deeper questions about human nature and humanity’s place in the world—questions that were never fully answered.

Today, technology is changing human life faster than ever before. It is no longer just a tool we use; it also shapes how we think about ourselves and our society. It encourages constant pressure to optimize our lives, treats identity like something that can be bought and sold, and promotes a managerial view of people. It also blurs the line between private and public life, leaving many societies feeling tired and divided.

In this context, the conference returns to a basic theological question: what does it mean to be human and created in the image of God at a time when people risk being reduced to data, consumer habits, and algorithm-like patterns shaped by both physical and digital worlds?

Bringing together scholars from theology, philosophy, biblical studies, and political theory, the conference aims to think more carefully about how technology should be used well. Rather than simply praising or condemning technology, it encourages thoughtful discussion across disciplines about human dignity and the meaning of the image of God in a technological age.

If you would be interested in presenting a paper at the conference, please contact Boris Gunjevic bg381@westfield [dot] cam [dot] ac [dot] uk