Artificial Intelligence: Between Demons and God

While the Amish get around by horse and cart because owning cars is forbidden according to their Protestant faith, there are religious communities that worship chatbots as divine entities. When it comes to religion and technology, the contradictions couldn’t be bigger. And this is particularly evident when we look at the most widely discussed technological development of our times: artificial intelligence (AI).

This is a compelling reason for anthropologist Beth Singler, assistant professor of digital religion(s) at the University of Zurich, to focus on the relationship between religious communities and AI. She looks at questions such as: what position do different religions take on the topic of artificial intelligence? How do they use it?

What’s clear to Singler is, “AI and religion have more in common than you might think at first glance.” In her view, both are tools used by humans to achieve specific goals, and ultimately, they revolve around our hopes, fears and opportunities. It is oversimplified to think of religion as a relic of the past and AI as an instrument of the future. “Religion, too” she says, “is about human progress and our future, as seen in the concept of heaven and hell.”

Given the parallels, Beth Singler thinks it’s no coincidence that the narratives and discourses surrounding AI closely resemble those of religion. “When talking about AI, even atheists often make use of religious images and stories,” she says. For instance, the fresco in the Sistine Chapel, which portrays the fingers of Adam and God reaching towards one another, has been altered in modern depictions and reinterpreted for AI. Technology thus becomes a creative act by humans, or a symbol of humanity’s connection to a god-like AI.

For Singler, it’s no surprise that religion and AI influence one another. After all, religion is part of society. And the discourse around AI is so prevalent today that it inevitably impacts religious communities, who are grappling with their stance on the phenomenon of artificial intelligence. There are some extreme positions on this matter. While some consider AI akin to summoning demons and see it as the work of Satan, others are more enthusiastic and believe new forms of deity will emerge from chatbots.

One example of the latter position was The Way of the Future, a religious movement which aimed to create and worship an AI-based divinity. The group, established by a robotics expert, has since disbanded. However, the broader movement of transhumanism remains. This concept aims to push the boundaries of human existence through technological progress, potentially achieving immortality.

But what’s going on apart from these extreme positions? “Above all else, you find a lot of diversity,” says Singler. It would be overly simplistic, for example, to label religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism as fundamentally more open to technology than others. “Disapproval and enthusiasm can coexist, even within religious communities.”

A variety of answers emerge when Muslim influencers on YouTube, such as imams or sheikhs, discuss whether androids are permitted in Islam (according to Islam, it is forbidden to depict the human form). Although rare, some religions do have an official stance. This is the case with the Catholic Church and the Rome Call, according to which AI must be transparent. It may not discriminate against anyone, and humans must always bear ultimate responsibility for the technology.

As Singler explains, “Religious communities often face complex and lengthy processes when debating new technologies.” And it’s not only about AI. “The coronavirus pandemic, for example, forced religious groups to suddenly embrace virtual spaces for worship,” explains Singler. Users may not even be aware that AI is used in such applications.

Artificial intelligence is being intentionally and pragmatically used for religious purposes more and more often. For instance, pastors occasionally use ChatGPT to write their sermons, while AI-based apps are employed for pastoral care and to convey religious teachings. The Reformed Church in Nuremberg has experimented with an avatar serving as a priest. In Japan, a robot known as Mindar preaches at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto. A postdoctoral researcher working under Beth Singler is currently there investigating the interaction between humans and machines.

The past also gives us an insight into current trends. For instance, some fundamentalist Christians in the United States vehemently rejected cinema at first, fearing it would distract their followers from their faith and diminish church attendance. Fast forward to today and there are Christian streaming services, showing how the church has adapted to new technologies. But according to Singler, “No technology has ever taken on the form of a designed personality like AI has.” We consume a film as a product, whereas we increasingly interact with artificial intelligence as if it were a person.

Consequently, new philosophical and metaphysical questions arise, such as those concerning consciousness and intelligence. In the search for answers to these questions, religion has an advantage due to its traditions. Religion is used to tackling questions such as: what makes us human? What does creation mean?

The concept of creation in particular provokes some interesting musings. From a religious perspective, some believe that humans should not presume to create something in their own likeness. Others believe God’s will is at work when humans bring AI into being.

Beth Singler prefers not to speculate about what the future holds. Progress is still too open, and the technology is advancing too rapidly. But it’s clear to the anthropologist that “the progress in AI’s conversational skills is impressive.” Accordingly, AI will likely be able to write increasingly sophisticated sermons.

Will AI start to replace priests? Singler doesn’t believe so. What is more likely is that AI will be increasingly used to communicate religious texts, provide counseling on social and spiritual issues – and attract more people to the church with technological innovations. Singler is certain that our culture and society will continue to be significantly impacted by AI. And alongside this, the relationship between AI and religion will grow stronger.