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Speakers
Robert Hunt, PhD – Professor of Mission Studies and Interreligious Dialogue at the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University
AI and the Copernican Revolution in Intelligence
If intelligence can increasingly be modeled, measured, and replicated, what remains distinctive about human beings? This lecture explores how developments in neuroscience, computing, and artificial intelligence have transformed the concept of intelligence. Drawing on neuroscience, cultural history, philosophy, and emerging AI research, Robert Hunt argues that we must more clearly define the relationship between homo sapiens as an object of scientific investigation and the human person as a culturally formed subject of lived experience. That live experience now includes the nearly ubiquitous presence of AI in many forms. For teachers, clinicians and researchers working at the intersection of brain, mind and technology – the presence of AI shaping human self-understanding raises profound questions about medicine, education, ethics and the future of human identity.
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Robert Hunt, PhD, has maintained a lifelong interest in computer science and AI. His interest began in high school and with a pre-college internship using Fortran programming to analyze satellite data. He was an early adapter to personal computers, programming in assembly language, Basic, and C++. In Malaysia and Singapore, he was responsible for developing the first school wide ethernet networks and later implanted email and internet services for faculty and staff. In the early 90’s in Singapore, he wrote a popular newspaper column called Dr. PC focusing on basic computer knowledge for those rapidly adapting to the internet. Currently, he is creating AI chatbots and agentic teaching tools for interactive engagement with both classical religious teachers and important philosophical, religious, and fictional texts related to AI.
At present, Dr. Hunt is professor of mission studies and interreligious dialogue at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and an affiliate professor in the Human Centered Interdisciplinary Study Program in SMU's Simmons School of Education and Human Development. He lectures on world religions, intercultural understanding, and emerging understandings of what it means to be human in the 21st century. His current research focuses on transformations of human self-understanding under the influence of artificial intelligence. His most recent book is All Brain and No Soul? Real Humanity in an AI Age (Wipf and Stock, 2025). Dr. Hunt writes frequent opinion pieces for both print and online media. Find out more about his publications and Substack newsletter
Robert Hunt was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1955. After attending schools locally in Austin and Richardson, he majored in history at The University of Texas in Austin, then completed a Master of Theology at Perkins School, and later received a PhD in History from the University of Malaya in 1993. He has pastored churches and taught in universities and colleges in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Austria and the United States.
“The focus of my professional life as a teacher has been interpretation: helping people understand themselves, their history, and the different cultures, religions, and social movements that shape their human experience. In an age that is increasingly artificial and two dimensional, I believe that every person, culture, and society should be seen in all its fullness and complexity.
We all have something valuable to offer to others and our world if together we will embrace our humanity and that of others. We discover our humanity through curiosity about our world and ourselves, critical and appreciative study, open dialogue, and a willingness to learn.”
– Robert Hunt, PhD
Watch select recordings below.
We are located at 2200 West Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX 75235
The entrance to the surface parking lot is on Forest Park Road. The talks will be held in the Brain Performance Institute building, the second building when you enter through the gate.