Could a Conscious Machine Deliver Pastoral Care?

Could Artificial Intelligence (AI) play an active role in delivering pastoral care? The question rests not only on whether AI could be considered autonomous agent, but such agent support the depths of relationship with humans which is essential to genuine care. Theological consideration status human-AI relations heavily influenced by Noreen Herzfeld, who utilises Karl Barth's I-Thou encounters conclude that we will never able relate meaningfully a computer since it would share our God. In this article, I look at anthropology greater depth establish more comprehensive and permissive foundation for human-machine encounter than Herzfeld provides—with key assumption that, some stage, computers become conscious. This work allows discussion shift focus challenges alterity conscious brings, rather dismissing as non-human object. If can Thou computer, then types care they provide.