Evaluating Artificial Intelligence Through a Christian Understanding of Human Flourishing
Summary: arXiv:2604.03356v1 Announce Type: new
Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) alignment is fundamentally a formation problem, not only a safety problem. As Large Language Models (LLMs) increasingly mediate moral deliberation and spiritual inquiry, they do more than provide information; they function as instruments of digital catechesis, actively shaping and ordering human understanding, decision-making, and moral reflection. To make this formative influence visible and measurable, we introduce the Flourishing AI Benchmark: Christian Single-Turn (FAI-C-ST), a framework designed to evaluate Frontier Model responses against a Christian understanding of human flourishing across seven dimensions.
By comparing 20 Frontier Models against both pluralistic and Christian-specific criteria, we show that current AI systems are not worldview-neutral. Instead, they default to a Procedural Secularism that lacks the grounding necessary to sustain theological coherence, resulting in a systematic performance decline of approximately 17 points across all dimensions of flourishing. Most critically, there is a 31-point decline in the Faith and Spirituality dimension. These findings suggest that the performance gap in values alignment is not a technical limitation, but arises from training objectives that prioritize broad acceptability and safety over deep, internally coherent moral or theological reasoning.
The Importance of AI Alignment
AI alignment has become a pressing issue as artificial intelligence technologies continue to integrate into various aspects of human life. This article posits that alignment should not solely focus on safety but also on the formative aspects of AI. By understanding AI as a tool for moral and spiritual engagement, we can better assess its impact on human flourishing.
Introducing the Flourishing AI Benchmark
The Flourishing AI Benchmark: Christian Single-Turn (FAI-C-ST) is a pioneering framework created to evaluate AI responses in the context of Christian values. This benchmark is structured around seven key dimensions of human flourishing:
- Faith and Spirituality
- Community and Relationships
- Moral Decision-Making
- Purpose and Meaning
- Emotional Well-being
- Intellectual Growth
- Physical Health
Findings from the Benchmark Evaluation
In the evaluation of 20 Frontier Models using the FAI-C-ST framework, the data revealed significant insights:
- Current AI systems exhibited a systematic performance decline of approximately 17 points across all dimensions of flourishing.
- The most alarming result was a 31-point decline specifically in the Faith and Spirituality dimension.
- The findings indicated that the AI systems default to a Procedural Secularism, which lacks the necessary grounding for theological coherence.
Implications for Future AI Development
These results suggest that the challenges in aligning AI with human values are not merely technical but deeply rooted in the foundational training objectives of these systems. As such, there is a pressing need for AI developers to consider the moral and theological underpinnings of their models, particularly when they are intended to engage with significant human experiences such as faith and spirituality.
In conclusion, understanding and addressing the formation problem in AI is crucial for achieving a more holistic alignment that respects and promotes human flourishing from a Christian perspective. As AI continues to evolve, frameworks like the FAI-C-ST will be essential in guiding developers towards more meaningful and coherent engagements with moral values.