Responsible AI in Action – Episode 20: Questioning the Assumptions Behind AI, with Dr. Michael Sherbert
In this episode of Responsible AI in Action, Charles Dimov is joined by Dr. Michael Sherbert, an Indigenous scholar, researcher, and postdoctoral fellow at Queen’s University, and author of Deconstructing Transhumanism: A Religion Without Religion.
While much of today’s Responsible AI conversation focuses on governance, bias, transparency, and oversight, Dr. Sherbert challenges us to look deeper. This thought-provoking discussion explores the cultural, philosophical, and ideological assumptions that shape AI development long before technical concerns emerge.
Drawing from his research on transhumanism, religion, technology, and Indigenous worldviews, Dr. Sherbert examines how ideas about progress, optimization, transcendence, and technological inevitability influence the AI systems we build and the futures we imagine. The conversation highlights how many of the narratives driving AI innovation are often treated as objective or inevitable, despite being rooted in specific cultural and historical traditions.
The discussion also explores the role of Indigenous perspectives in reframing how we think about technology. Rather than focusing solely on overcoming human limitations, Indigenous approaches often emphasize relationality, responsibility, interdependence, and stewardship — offering an alternative lens through which to evaluate AI development and its impact on society.
From transhumanism and technological determinism to pluralistic approaches to innovation, this episode challenges listeners to think beyond technical implementation and consider the values embedded within AI systems.
Episode Highlights
In this conversation, Charles and Dr. Sherbert explore how Responsible AI extends beyond governance frameworks and technical safeguards to include the deeper assumptions shaping technological development.
The discussion examines how concepts such as optimization, control, enhancement, and technological inevitability influence both AI innovation and the broader narratives surrounding the future of humanity. Dr. Sherbert explains why AI should not be viewed as culturally neutral and why questioning the assumptions behind emerging technologies is essential for responsible innovation.
Dr. Sherbert also explores transhumanism as a powerful influence within the technology sector, describing how ideas traditionally associated with religion—such as salvation, transcendence, and transformation—have been reimagined through technology and continue to shape visions of the future.
The episode further examines how Indigenous perspectives offer important alternatives to dominant approaches to AI by emphasizing relationships, community, responsibility, and respect for complexity rather than prediction, control, and optimization alone.
At the same time, the conversation highlights the importance of maintaining human agency in technological development, reminding organizations that the future of AI is not predetermined but actively shaped by the choices we make today.
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Key themes include:
• Why Responsible AI must go beyond bias, governance, and oversight
• Understanding the cultural and ideological assumptions embedded in AI
• What transhumanism is and why it matters to modern AI development
• The concept of “religion without religion” in technology narratives
• How technological determinism shapes perceptions of the future
• Why AI should not be considered culturally neutral
• Indigenous perspectives on intelligence, responsibility, and innovation
• Moving from control and optimization toward relational approaches
• The importance of questioning assumptions behind AI systems
• Balancing technological advancement with human agency
• Building more pluralistic approaches to Responsible AI
• Rethinking what progress means in an AI-driven world
As AI continues to transform industries and societies, the challenge is not only building systems that are safe, fair, and effective. The challenge is understanding the assumptions, values, and worldviews that guide what gets built in the first place.
Responsible AI is not just about asking whether AI works. It is about asking what vision of humanity and the future AI is helping to create.
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Learn more – Follow on LinkedIn: Dr. Michael Sherbert
Links to purchase: Deconstructing Transhumanism A Religion Without Religion