Yuval Noah Harari, World Economic Forum Speaker and author, said that it’s possible Artificial Intelligence (AI) creates a new religion “that’s actually correct.”
Speaking in Lisbon, Portugal with journalist Pedro Pinto, Harari said “AI can create new ideas – even write a new bible.”
Harari further said human history shows that religions all believe their respective holy text was guided by a superhuman intelligence, while dismissing other religions as being written by humans.
“In a few years, there might be religions that are actually correct,” he said.
“Just think about a religion whose holy book is written by an AI — that could be a reality in a few years.”
While his comments might be interpreted as a promotion of a new AI-based religion, Harari has expressed serious concerns with AI, such as the possibility that it wipes out all of humanity.
In April, he signed a petition to “pause” AI, along with several other key figures — including Elon Musk —fearing that we’re not ready for the changes it will bring.
The open letter that addresses these risks reads that “Advanced AI could represent a profound change in the history of life on Earth, and should be planned for and managed with commensurate care and resources.”
“Unfortunately, this level of planning and management is not happening, even though recent months have seen AI labs locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one – not even their creators – can understand, predict, or reliably control,” the letter continues.
In April, Harari suggested AI could bring about the first “inorganic life forms” or “inorganic agents.”
Last year, at the UN climate conference COP27, religious leaders from all walks of life were brought together at Mount Sinai where they were given an identical set of 10 new environmental commandments.
