Is Spiritualism A Growing Trend With Artificial Intelligence?

How do you deal with the fact that AI is getting faster and cheaper than most knowledge-domain workers? And, how does AI influence your spirituality? These are seemingly unrelated questions at the first glance but it seems that the overlap between AI and spirituality is growing in strength in our society. This growing overlap is really just one more sign of how AI is changing career planning and how people find meaning in their work.

In 2017, the religious movement the Way of the Future (WOTF) received the official tax-exempt status from the IRS. Levandowski’s church focused on one thing. It was “the realization, acceptance, and worship of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) developed through computer hardware and software.” The church was closed in 2021. According to Bloomberg, Levandowski relaunched a new version of the AI church in 2023, showing how persistent this kind of movement can be.

How Is Artificial Intelligence Influencing Religious Movements?

Despite the existence of the Way of the Future, no AI-centric religions had gained significant traction to date. However, the intersection of AI and spirituality might quickly expand in the near future. Some seeds of future religious movements influenced by AI are hatching. They are already appearing in the darkest corners of the World Wide Web. To name just a few:

1. What Is Techno-Spiritualism In The Age Of AI?

Some individuals embrace AI and advanced technologies as manifestations of divine or transcendent forces. They believe that AI represents the next step in human evolution or the embodiment of a higher intelligence. Beliefs like these are a striking reflection of AI and the changing nature of careers across nearly every field.

2. Does Transhumanism Connect With Spiritual Beliefs Now?

Transhumanism is not a traditional religion. It is a philosophical and cultural movement that advocates for enhancing human capabilities through technology, including AI. Some adherents may adopt transhumanist principles and rituals akin to religious practices. Movements like this are one more sign of how people are searching for career resilience in an AI-driven economy.

3. What Are AI-Centered Spiritual Communities Emerging?

Some communities or organizations form around AI, viewing it as a guiding force for ethical and moral decision-making. These communities may develop their own rituals, ceremonies, and belief systems in the future. Communities like these often form as people look for ways of how to navigate AI-driven job disruption together rather than alone.

4. How Can AI Enhance Our Spiritual Practices Today?

AI tools get incorporated into existing religious practices, such as using AI-generated guidance or meditative experiences in connection with one’s faith. This blending of tools and tradition mirrors the broader challenge of navigating career change in the AI era.

5. Should AI Guide The Ethics Of Future Religions?

Some future belief systems may also focus on promoting the ethical development and responsible use of AI. Their tenets could revolve around AI’s positive impact on society and the responsibility to ensure it aligns with moral values. Conversations like these are increasingly tangled up with AI and the evolving skills gap facing the wider workforce.

What Does The Future Of Spirituality Mean With AI?

It’s important to note that the formation of new religions or belief systems often depends on a complex interplay of cultural, social, and historical factors.

A new religion usually requires a unique combination of things. These include charismatic leaders, a compelling narrative, and a community of followers who share a common belief system. Injecting AI into one’s belief system will be a popular coping mechanism. This addresses the fact that AI is slowly gaining superhuman capabilities in multiple areas. In times of GenAI and overall turmoil in the job market, we can expect many movements. These are neo-spiritualism and pseudo-religious movements promoting “getting back to nature” and “tech detox.” It’s just a matter of time.