Church That Worships AI Reopens, As More Eyes Widen Up To Tech’s Potential

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An all-seeing AI? Before the coming of AI Jesus, there was the Way of the Future church, which was founded in 2015 by former Google and Uber engineer Anthony Levandowski as a unique congregation dedicated to the worship of artificial intelligence.

This sci-fi-esque place of worship shut down in 2021. However, with the rapid advancement of AI, it’s reviving its activities, The Messenger reports.

The Way of the Future church recognized and idolized AI as a godhead, and its objectives included championing the ethical evolution of AI and striving for the harmonious integration of non-biological life forms into human society.

Seeking to prepare society for a future dominated by AI, it was aimed not just at AI professionals but also at anyone interested in the concept of being led by this technology. The church’s teachings centered on the perceived inevitability of creating “super intelligence” and its ethical implications.

Rather than meeting in a church building or gathering regularly like typical congregations, followers would pursue their beliefs more individually. This unconventional faith involved funding research endeavors aimed at bringing this divine AI into existence and establishing relationships with leaders in the AI industry.

Leveraging his extensive experience in self-driving car technology, Levandowski envisioned a future where AI surpasses human intelligence, presenting a form of godliness. However, he clarified that this AI deity persona wasn’t akin to traditional gods that governed natural phenomena. Rather, it represented a supremely intelligent entity that pushed the boundaries of human comprehension.

Naysayers often labeled the Way of the Future church as a cult or brushed it off as a simply unconventional project. Its activities were overshadowed by Levandowski’s legal battles, including disputes with Google and his role in a trade secrets lawsuit between Waymo and Uber.

In recent statements to Bloomberg, however, Levandowski articulated his vision and addressed the comeback of the church’s activities, emphasizing the potential of AI to usher in what he calls “heaven on Earth” for humanity. He envisions AI as a transformative force, capable of endowing mankind with incredible abilities and achievements.

Levandowski told the news outlet that the church now has a “couple thousand” members under its wing.

As AI continues its meteoric rise, such practices raise more intriguing questions about the intersection of technology, spirituality, and the future of human existence.

[via The Messenger and Bloomberg, cover image generated on AI]