Revd. Dr. Lechang Luke Cheng

PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia

Email: llc39@cam.ac.uk

PhD Student in Theology and Religious Studies (Christian Theology)

Supervisor: Dr Ximian Simeon Xu

College Affiliation: Lucy Cavendish College

Thesis Introduction

The rapid development of AI has reshaped human interactions with technology, impacting many areas like education, healthcare, and religious practices. Pastoral care, traditionally characterized by relational presence, empathy, and spiritual guidance, now faces opportunities and challenges with AI’s emerging role in caregiving. AI-enabled systems can assist pastors, counselors, and ministry leaders in providing much-needed care to the faith community. However, their use raises significant ethical and theological questions, including understanding the role of AI in pastoral care, the limits of AI, and how to evaluate AI-assisted care from a theological and ethnic perspective. My research aims to explore how AI can be ethically integrated into pastoral care without compromising Christian principles. Through an interdisciplinary approach that bridges AI technology and pastoral theology, and by drawing on comparative studies of AI in healthcare, this study aims to develop a robust theological and ethical framework for understanding and evaluating AI-assisted systems in pastoral care.

Publications

  • L. Cheng, N. Hutchinson, and M. R. Ito, “RealNet: A Topology Generator Based on Real Internet Topology,” in Proceeding of IEEE 22nd International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications, Ginowan, Japan, March 2008.

  • L. Cheng, N. Hutchinson, and M. R. Ito, “P2PNet, A Simulation Architecture for P2P Systems,” in Proceeding of 2007 International Conference on New Technologies, Mobility and Security, Paris, France, May 2007.

  • L. Cheng, M. R. Ito, and N. Hutchinson, “Internet Topology Based Identifier Assignment for Tree-based DHTs,”, in Proceeding of 2007 International Conference on New Technologies, Mobility and Security, Paris, France, May 2007.

  • L. Cheng and M. R. Ito, “Receiver-driven Layered Multicast Using Active Networks,” in Proceeding of 2003 IEEE Intern. Conf. of Multimedia & Expo, Baltimore, U.S.A., July 2003.

  • L. Cheng, K. E. Kwok, B. Huang, P. Li, “Improved Threshold for the Local Approach in Detecting Faults and Its Application in Paper Machine Control,” Industrial Engineering and Chemistry Research,  vol. 42, no. 9, pp 1870 - 1878, 2003. 

  • L. Cheng, K. E. Kwok, and B. Huang, “Closed-loop Fault Detection using the Local Approach,” Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 81, No. 5, pp. 1101-1108, Oct. 2003.

  • L. Cheng, K. E. Kwok, B. Huang, and P. Li, “Improved Threshold for the Local Approach in Detecting Fault,” in Proceedings of IASTED International Conference on Control and Applications (CA2001), Banff, Canada, June 2001.