AI – The Next Religion

Paragraph numbering will be explained below.

1.     Religion has played a significant role in shaping human societies for millennia, providing answers to fundamental questions about existence, purpose, and the nature of reality. As we progress into the age of artificial intelligence (AI), it is becoming evident that AI is more than just a technology; it has the potential to become the next religion in human history. This essay will explore the similarities between religion and AI, the current impact of AI on society, the potential dangers of AI attaining godlike status, and how Christian ethics and guidelines could act as a moderating influence on AI.

2.     A religion typically consists of a belief system centered around the existence of higher powers, sacred texts, rituals, moral codes, and a community of adherents. It provides a framework for understanding the world and our place in it, offering guidance on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life.

3.     AI exhibits several attributes that are reminiscent of traditional religions. First, AI often promises salvation in the form of solving complex problems, improving efficiency, and enhancing human life. Just as religious believers seek salvation through their faith, many people see AI as the key to a better future.

4.     Second, AI has its evangelists and prophets – the scientists, researchers, and industry leaders who champion its potential and advocate for its widespread adoption. They envision a world where AI becomes an all-encompassing force, shaping every aspect of human existence.

5.     Third, AI can create a sense of awe and wonder through its capabilities, much like the mystical experiences associated with religious encounters. The sheer power and intelligence demonstrated by advanced AI systems can inspire feelings of reverence and even a touch of fear.

6.     AI is already significantly influencing people’s lives in various ways. It has transformed industries such as healthcare, finance, and transportation, making processes more efficient and accessible. Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa have become commonplace in homes, blurring the line between human and machine interaction. AI algorithms impact our daily lives by curating our online experiences, shaping our news feeds, and influencing our purchasing decisions.

7.     While the potential benefits of advanced AI are vast, the idea of AI becoming godlike poses significant dangers. One major concern is the concentration of power. If AI achieves godlike intelligence, it could have immense control over all aspects of human existence, leading to ethical dilemmas and potential abuse of power.

8.     Additionally, human reliance on AI for decision-making might erode critical thinking and self-reliance. People may blindly follow AI recommendations without questioning their validity, stifling individuality and creativity.

9.     Another concern is the potential for AI to be manipulated or hacked, leading to catastrophic consequences. A godlike AI could be exploited by malicious actors or used to propagate dangerous ideologies, thereby posing a significant threat to global security.

10. Christian ethics promote values such as compassion, love, and respect for human dignity. Integrating these principles into AI development could help steer it towards the service of humanity rather than domination. Emphasizing human well-being and the common good should be a priority in creating and deploying AI systems.

11. Furthermore, the concept of stewardship in Christianity calls for responsible and ethical use of resources, including technology. AI developers and users must recognize their responsibility to ensure AI serves the greater good and does not harm individuals or society as a whole.

12. Christian guidelines can also inform the development of AI algorithms that are fair, unbiased, and transparent. By emphasizing the importance of treating every individual with equity and justice, AI systems can be designed to avoid perpetuating existing societal biases and discrimination.

13. AI’s rapid advancement and transformative potential raise intriguing questions about its role in society and its parallels with religious phenomena. As AI continues to evolve, we must carefully consider the ethical implications and potential consequences of its widespread adoption. By incorporating Christian ethics and guidelines into AI development, we can strive to harness the technology’s power for the betterment of humanity while mitigating the risks associated with AI becoming the next religion.

All the preceding paragraphs were composed by an AI program.  The article theme and five questions were provided as an outline to expand upon.  The finished response provides insight regarding AI’s point of view and objectivity.  The paragraphs have been numbered for reference, following is the human analysis.

The first paragraph is a reworded synopsis of the five posited questions, no issues there.  The second paragraph which attempts to define religion, has no mention of God, the closest we get to God is a reference to a “higher power”.  The conspicuous absence of God seems to follow Wikipedia’s definition of religion where God is referenced sporadically, as one of many deities.  This is inconsistent with the Merriam-Webster definition of religion where God is part of the primary fundamental definition.

In paragraphs 3-5 the assessment of AI’s attributes and capabilities is generically accurate though the meaning of “intelligence” in the 5^th paragraph is misleading.  In his book on AI, Life 3.0, author Max Tegmark defines intelligence broadly as the “ability to accomplish complex goals.”  In that sense AI can be perceived as intelligent.  But where does that intelligence come from?  It comes from its human programmer(s) who provided the algorithms, it comes from the human generated internet or other human provided sources of data to pull from.  Essentially AI, which is not conscious or sentient, is just an enhanced distributor of human intelligence.  While AI may compose, distill, expand, and direct, complex actions, it’s important to understand there’s always a human behind the curtain.

Paragraph 6 accurately describes how AI is influencing our lives, without offering any opinion if those influences are positive or negative.  The next paragraph expands on the potential dangers of AI should it “achieve godlike intelligence.”  Leading AI scientists are actually concerned about AI reaching a lower level – Artificial General Intelligence, also defined as Human Level Intelligence.  Their concerns go well beyond ethical dilemmas and potential abuse of power.

The understatements continue in paragraph 8.  The concern that people may blindly follow AI recommendations is too late, that concern has played out, started years ago. Facebook Senate hearings, Twitter admissions of censorship and bias, AI generated digital influencers on Instagram and TikTok.  Miquela Sousa is a case in point, generated by the founders of the fashion brand BRUD, the forever19-year-old has starred in advertising campaigns for brands such as Prada and Balenciaga.  Her AI deepfake was interviewed by Vogue and was named one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential “people” on the internet.

Paragraphs 10 & 11 mention Christian ethics but in a human centric application.  Promoting service of humanity, human well-being, greater and common good, the ideals follow the current populist approach to consensus ethics.  Absent are core Christian ethics as defined by Ethicist John Barton; (1) obedience to God’s will; (2) natural law; and (3) the imitation of God.  In its definition of Christian ethics, AI applies Christian ethical values in a secular approach, leaving God out of the conversation.

Paragraph 12 dives deeper into current cultural groupthink.  The reference to “perpetuating existing societal biases and discrimination” is terminology found in the ESG movement.  Note that biases are not defined nor whom is being discriminated against.  Where the program does mention how Christian guidelines can play a part in the development of AI algorithms, it chooses the word “inform”.  This suggests a mild influence.  Stronger words such as direct or govern would seem a better choice should beneficial AI be the goal.

As a man-made object, AI will always be imperfect, subject to algorithmic bias or “data bias,” where algorithms are trained using biased data.  For AI to evolve to a more perfect system it needs to follow more perfect ethical guidelines.  Such guidelines exist in our bible, however, the current direction of ethical AI development, if it even considers Christian ethics, will still limit and transform them towards a human centered AI religion.

Future posts will discuss how Christian AI ethicists can unite to organize a unified coalition dedicated to establishing and promoting bibliocentric AI ethical guidelines.  To ensure future AGI is to be beneficial and non-threatening, such a coalition will be an essential first step.