Professor Sorgner to Speak at International Conference on Transhumanism and Religion at University of Innsbruck

From February 7th to February 9th, scholars, theologians, and researchers from around the world will gather at the University of Innsbruck, Austria for the international conference titled “Sacred Cyborgs: Exploring the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Transhumanism, and Religion.” Organized by the Department of Islamic Theology and Religious Education of the University of Innsbruck, the event will provide an interdisciplinary platform to discuss the ethical, philosophical, and theological implications of emerging technologies.

JCU Philosophy Professor Stefan Lorenz Sorgner was invited to deliver the opening keynote, which will set the stage for a thought-provoking three-day exploration of transhumanism’s impact on religious thought and human identity.

Innsbruck by Nicole Baster
Innsbruck, Austria

Diverse Panels and Engaging Discussions

The conference will see in-depth discussions on transhumanism’s place in religious traditions. Dr. Johannes Hoff (University of Innsbruck) will critique transhumanism as a symptom of societal instability, while Dr. Maurizio Balistreri (University of Tuscia, Viterbo) will examine the theological implications of human space exploration. Later panels include Dr. Michael Coors (University of Zurich), who will give his presentation on the theological ethics of time limitations in Christian faith. The final day will feature talks by Dr. Sarah Spiekermann-Hoff (Vienna University of Economics and Business) on public beliefs about the posthuman, and Dr. Johannes Grössl (Paderborn University) on the relationship between Star Trek and Christian fundamental theology.

Closing Reflections and Future Outlook

The conference will conclude with a closing roundtable bringing together various leading scholars to discuss how religious traditions can engage with the accelerating transhumanist movement. Final reflections will be shared by Dr. Abdullah Takim and Dr. Hureyre Kam, whose studies emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the moral and spiritual challenges posed by AI and biotechnology. With its diverse range of professors and engaging discussions, the Sacred Cyborgs conference will mark a significant step toward integrating religious and philosophical perspectives into the discourse on transhumanism.