AI’s ‘New Bible’: Harari’s Dangerous Idea For Spirituality

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made great strides in recent years, from mastering human languages to shaping our daily lives in countless ways. Now, influential author and public intellectual Yuval Noah Harari suggests that AI may soon influence something far more personal: our spirituality. Harari, known for his works such as “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind,” “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow,” and “21 Lessons for the 21st Century,” recently proposed that AI might not only create new ideas but even write a “new Bible.”

Speaking on AI’s capabilities, Harari contended, “It’s the first technology ever that can create new ideas. Gutenberg printed the Bible in the middle of the 15th century; the printing press printed as many copies of the Bible as Gutenberg instructed it, but it did not create a single new page.” He posited, “AI can create new ideas; it can even write a new Bible.”

Harari’s speculative vision of AI-written religious texts represents a dangerous shift. It takes us into uncharted territory, where AI’s synthetic intellect usurps the human, spiritual experience that has shaped societies and cultures throughout history. Harari, known for his globalist views and atheistic stance, is steering the world towards a reality where religion is crafted not by divine wisdom or human insight but by code and algorithms.

This idea should cause deep concern, especially given Harari’s influence on global decision-making entities, such as the World Economic Forum. His ideas aren’t mere intellectual exercises. They have real-world implications, impacting policymakers and shaping the future of society. His calls to regulate AI, suggesting that “governments must immediately ban the release into the public domain of any more revolutionary AI tools before they are made safe,” reveal his intent to have a substantial role in the direction AI takes.

Harari’s authority isn’t born from his prowess in a single field. Instead, it comes from his ability to spin grand narratives that capture the imagination. As described by a Current Affairs report, Harari is a “science populist.” Like political populists, these storytellers use simple, emotionally persuasive language to share sensationalist ideas based on scientific “facts,” often sacrificing nuanced accuracy for appeal.

Harari’s work, underpinned by this approach, has led to widespread acclaim and a broad audience. But at what cost? His comments on AI’s potential role in spirituality reveal a worldview that places technology above human essence. In this worldview, AI isn’t just a tool that augments human abilities but a potential replacement for human thought, creativity, and spiritual insight.

As consumers of information and responsible citizens, we must scrutinize such radical ideas and their implications. As AI continues to develop and integrate more deeply into our lives, society must carefully consider the balance between technological advancement and preserving the essence of our humanity.

AI could revolutionize many aspects of our lives, but should it redefine our spirituality? In the face of such profound questions, the conservative stance insists on preserving the sanctity of human thought, spirituality, and religious experience. Technological progress should be a means of enhancing human potential, not usurping it.

Harari’s vision of an AI-written Bible may be technologically fascinating. Still, it risks erasing the essence of human spirituality and connection. As we navigate the future of AI, we must ensure that the pulse of human experience continues to beat strong in the face of technological advancement.