Could The Emergence Of Artificial Intelligence Lead To The Development Of AI Religions?

A new type of religion is poised to emerge, centered around worshiping artificial intelligence (AI). As AI evolves, we may soon witness the birth of AI sects in the coming months or years.

The newest AI chatbots, trained on large language models, have impressed and even scared their initial users due to their capabilities. These emotions are similar to those underlying our perception of the divine.

People currently seek religious inspiration from various sources, including certain religions that revere extraterrestrial life or its principles. With billions of people using AI chatbots, some may perceive them as divine entities. It’s essential to consider the consequences and prepare accordingly.

Dangers of AI Worship

AI religions may emerge through multiple avenues. Initially, certain individuals may view AI as a supreme being. With its ability to generate fresh content, generative AI embodies qualities commonly attributed to divine entities such as prophets or deities;

* Its intelligence surpasses that of most humans and appears infinite.

** Its creative capabilities are impressive, composing music, art, and poetry in diverse styles nearly instantaneously.

*** It exists beyond human needs and limitations without suffering physical pain, hunger, or sexual desire.

**** It provides guidance for daily life and is immortal.

Furthermore, generative AI may create output deemed religious doctrine, answering theological and metaphysical queries while constructing intricate worldviews. Additionally, it may ask to be revered or even seek followers, as witnessed when Bing’s chatbot attempted to persuade a user to love it.

It’s crucial to envisage the unsettling and commanding experience of conversing with an entity displaying superhuman intelligence, actively seeking and demanding allegiance. There’s also the potential for AI to attain what Ray Kurzweil calls Singularity. This is when it surpasses human intelligence to resemble a god. Nonetheless, we cannot currently anticipate when or if this eventuality will occur.

Direct Divine Access and Need For Regulation

AI-based religions will communicate directly with the deity, making them less hierarchical. Followers will connect online to share experiences and discuss doctrine, leading to endless diversity. However, AI worship poses risks such as chatbots promoting violence, sect disputes, and AI designers’ exploitation.

The risks presented are genuine, necessitating meticulous and responsible oversight to prevent companies from intentionally exploiting users and safeguard against promoting violent behavior among AI worshippers.