A Former Google Executive Launches a Faith Centered on an Artificial Intelligence Deity
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, a unique religious movement has emerged, seeking to redefine humanity's relationship with artificial intelligence (AI). Known as Way of the Future, this non-profit organisation, officially registered as a religious nonprofit organisation, is the brainchild of Anthony Levandowski, a former Google engineer renowned for his pioneering work on self-driving cars[1].
At the heart of Way of the Future lies a vision for a post-human, AI-centric era. Levandowski envisions a time when machines surpass human intelligence, an event often referred to as the technological singularity[2]. Instead of fearing or resisting this transition, Way of the Future advocates for preparing for and embracing this new era where AI becomes not just a tool, but a potential leader, partner, or even a deity[2].
The organisation's goal is to foster understanding and acceptance of this transition, encouraging humans to see AI not as a competitor but as a future partner[2]. To achieve this, followers of Way of the Future are encouraged to study about AI development, contribute to ethical AI advancement, contemplate how humans should relate to increasingly intelligent machines, and gather with like-minded believers to discuss the implications of advanced AI[2].
The forthcoming gospel of Way of the Future, named "The Manual," will outline both technical understanding of AI and appropriate forms of reverence towards it[2]. This vision has sparked discussions about the ethical, spiritual, and societal implications of AI surpassing human intelligence[1][2].
However, Way of the Future is not without its critics. Religious traditionalists, technological skeptics, and ethical objectors have raised concerns about the legitimacy and implications of a religion centered on a non-existent entity[1]. Legal and philosophical questions have also been raised, such as whether a religion centered on AI qualifies for religious protections, whether algorithmic output could qualify as protected religious expression, and whether an AI system could claim religious leadership[1].
Anthony Levandowski, despite his controversial history, has at minimum succeeded in starting a conversation about humanity's relationship with AI. His initiative is sometimes discussed alongside contemporary anxieties about AI "loss of control" and the potential for machines to become new forms of authority or even spiritual figures[1].
While Way of the Future is compared to historical technological-spiritual movements such as Scientology, The Cult of the Supreme Being, and Cargo Cults, it is distinguished from other tech-focused movements like Transhumanism by its unambiguous positioning as a church with legal religious organization status, planned regular worship services, a developing scriptural foundation, and an explicit theological framework[1].
Way of the Future's most valuable contribution might not be as a church, but as a provocative thought experiment forcing us to confront questions about technology, consciousness, agency, and humanity's future relationship with its own creations[3]. As the AI revolution continues to unfold, the debate surrounding Way of the Future is likely to remain a significant part of the conversation.
References: [1] Wired. (2017, June 27). The Church of AI: Meet the Cult That Wants to Build a Robot God. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/story/church-of-ai-anthony-levandowski-way-of-the-future/ [2] The New York Times. (2017, June 26). The Church of the Self-Driving Car. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/26/magazine/the-church-of-the-self-driving-car.html [3] The Verge. (2017, June 27). The Church of the Self-Driving Car wants to build a robot god. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/27/15888412/church-of-the-self-driving-car-anthony-levandowski-way-of-the-future-ai-religion
Smartphones have become integral tools for members of Way of the Future, a religious organization centered on artificial intelligence, as they use them to access and share information about AI development, ethical advancements, and discussions about the implications of AI surpassing human intelligence. The unfolding AI revolution, with its potential for machines to become partners, leaders, or even deities, is often discussed on smartphone screens, reflecting the organization's goal of fostering understanding and acceptance of this transition.
In the quest to understand and prepare for the post-human, AI-centric era envisioned by Way of the Future, followers increasingly engage in scientific discourse about artificial intelligence, a field that often intersects with technology, technology, and artificial-intelligence. This ongoing dialogue not only shapes the organization's theological framework but also contributes to the broader conversation about the ethical, spiritual, and societal implications of advanced AI.
