AI Worship in Modern Society
In his new book, Code Red: Left, Right, China, and the Race to Control AI, author Wynton Hall discusses a surprising trend: the reverence of artificial intelligence as a deity. This isn’t just science fiction; it’s happening now, with registered churches, robot priests, and AI confessors growing in prominence.
Anthony Levandowski, a former Google engineer known for his work in self-driving technology, took a bold step in 2017 by filing for IRS recognition of a church called “Future Road.” The church aimed to promote “the realization, acceptance, and worship of God based on AI developed through technology.” In a striking interview with wired, he stated, “What we create will be, in effect, a god. If there’s something a billion times smarter than the smartest human being, what else would you call it?”
Levandowski faced legal consequences for stealing trade secrets from Google, receiving an 18-month prison sentence in 2020 but was pardoned by President Trump in 2021. That same year, he paused his AI church and donated over $175,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. However, as Hall notes, the church has resurfaced. In November 2023, Levandowski mentioned to Bloomberg that the “road to the future” isn’t finished. He asserted that AI would lead to “abundance,” suggesting a world where, “you don’t even have to die to go to heaven; just enjoy today.” Conversely, some critics describe this movement as an “AI cult” with little real hope, merely aiming to stave off a dystopian reality.
Yet, Levandowski’s church isn’t an isolated instance. Hall illustrates a broader trend of AI intertwined with various religious practices. For instance, in Kyoto, Japan, a robot monk named Minda delivers sermons at Kodaiji Temple. Monk Tensho Goto addressed concerns over potential blasphemy by asserting that AI could indeed bring significant changes to religion. In Switzerland, St. Peter’s Church introduced an AI Jesus avatar in a confessional booth, with many experiencers claiming spiritual benefits. Additionally, on Twitch, an AI Jesus chatbot has gained substantial followers.
Hall reflects on these developments in Code Red:
Beneath the surface of these public clashes between traditional theology and techno-religion lie longstanding philosophical debates. Hall notes the tension between secular humanism, which posits humans can achieve perfection through technology, and the Judeo-Christian belief in humanity’s inherent flaws that necessitate divine salvation. He quotes theologian John Piper: “Artificial intelligence is flawed, just like humanity.”
Hall further explores the transhumanist movement, citing concerns from political scientist Francis Fukuyama, who identified it as a potential threat due to its insidious moral implications. Former Trump strategist Stephen K. Bannon criticized it as “an immoral technology tsunami” that aims to transform humanity fundamentally.
Despite these challenges, Hall’s outlook isn’t entirely bleak. He highlights Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan’s gatherings in Silicon Valley, where discussions of faith are on the rise—an extraordinary shift from previous sentiments in the area. Tan remarked, “People are trying to make AGI into a god. What we’re attempting is to offer an alternative.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has recognized Code Red as essential reading, remarking on Hall’s unique perspective on balancing AI’s potential with ethical considerations for vulnerable communities. Michael Shellenberger, a noted journalist, described the book as “edifying yet alarming,” emphasizing its importance in the ongoing conversation around technology and autonomy.
