EXPANDING ACCESS TO INFORMATION BEYOND RELIGIOUS CONSTRAINTS: BENEFITS OF HUMANISM IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

Purpose: This article examines the persistent restrictions on access to information imposed by religious, political, and cultural boundaries, both historically and in contemporary digital environments. It asks how humanism, as a philosophical framework, can guide artificial intelligence (AI)–mediated information systems to ensure equitable access beyond religious and ideological constraints.

Methods: The study adopts a qualitative, interdisciplinary approach. It combines historical analysis of restricted access, case studies from diverse cultural contexts, and examination of contemporary debates on AI ethics. Insights are drawn from information science, philosophy, and digital governance to construct a humanistic framework for access.

Results: The findings suggest that while AI technologies expand opportunities for access, they also introduce new risks of algorithmic censorship and bias. Humanism provides a normative foundation for countering these risks by reframing access as a universal human right and emphasizing inclusivity, transparency, and responsibility.

Conclusion: Applying humanistic principles to AI-driven information systems can bridge divides, democratize knowledge, and align technological development with the common good. This underscores the enduring relevance of humanism in addressing twenty-first-century challenges and shaping ethical frameworks for universal access to information.