Many highly intelligent humans predict highly intelligent robots as soon as researchers find the programming and/or hardware to make it work. Theories about the technological singularity, the point at which artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence, are supported by notable figures such as Ray Kurzweil and Vernor Vinge. It's a very attractive advancement, one in which intelligent systems can help move humanity forward faster than we ourselves are capable of managing. Coupling artificial intelligence with robotics would provide devices capable of not only responding to human need, but identifying human need in real time or even in advance of the need - and not only based on human trends, but on the needs of an individual human.

As an aside, we should also note the Terminator series turns artificial intelligence into Skynet and nearly indestructible robots with time travel capabilities. A far cry from helpful butler-bots, life-saving surgical-bots, and wiggly sex-bots.

Kelsey Atherton at Popular Science reports on the response a group of Islamic leaders had about the Mars One colony and their fatwa against making this trip as it is perceived as suicide. Robert Lamb at HowStuffWorks gives a quick overview of how religious leaders have viewed praying in space and how future advancements might impact our religions or create new ones. Part of his presentation explains how prior rulings from Islamic leaders have approved prayer away from Earth.

While much science fiction trends towards either flight from religious dominance or humanity shedding religion through social evolution, the reality is religion and spirituality will remain part of human cultures and evolve over time.