Has Big Tech Become the New Religion?
Next Big Idea Club
Where thought leaders converge, where ideas transform into action, and where books become a gateway to a brighter future
The Next Big Idea Daily newsletter (SUBSCRIBE) is written by me, Michael Kovnat , and gathers insights from today’s leading non-fiction authors. It’s a companion to our Next Big Idea Daily podcast, available on Apple or Spotify .
Think about how many times you look at a screen each day—checking texts, emails, the endless scroll of social media. Now imagine if we performed those actions at a traditional altar. Greg Epstein , the Humanist Chaplain at Harvard and MIT, wants us to consider how technology has shifted from a mere tool to a sort of “religion” with billions of “devotees,” its own myths, and even its own gods.
With over two decades advising on ethical and existential issues, Greg’s work highlights a critical point: Big Tech’s vision of a “better world” may not actually be in our best interest. Instead, it might be quietly shaping a future where we serve technology, rather than the other way around.
In his new book, Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World's Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation , Greg explores the ways technology has crept into our lives with the fervor and reverence of a faith. Here are some of the biggest takeaways:
Technology as Religion: Are We All Worshipping the Same Black Mirror?
We’ve come to think of tech as just another industry, but Greg argues that this view no longer fits. Tech isn’t just a sector of the economy—it's embedded in every industry, from finance to healthcare to education. It’s pervasive and almost omnipresent, with tech giants positioning themselves as the new “gods” of innovation and progress. And for many of us, this influence feels natural, even comforting.
But when Greg examines Silicon Valley’s biggest players, he sees parallels to traditional religions. For instance, former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski founded an actual religion, Way of the Future, where AI is revered as a “Godhead.” Levandowski believes we’re creating an entity that, like any deity, will demand loyalty—and that it’s time we started worshipping.
If all of this sounds a bit far-fetched, consider the billions spent on AI, the promises of immortality through digital consciousness, and the tech industry’s sweeping influence on our daily lives. According to Greg, Big Tech has been busy building its own heaven—one that keeps us tethered to screens rather than connecting with the real world.
Why We Need a “Renaissance of Agnosticism”
Greg argues that a return to thoughtful skepticism—a “tech agnosticism”—could help pull us back from this techno-theology. Agnosticism, he says, is not a lack of belief but a stance of curiosity, humility, and thoughtful questioning. Embracing this outlook could be our best defense against becoming uncritical followers of tech’s grand promises.
As Greg puts it, it’s time we took technology down from the heavens and returned it to its rightful place—as a tool for us to use wisely, rather than a master to obey.
Listen to Greg's case for a tech reformation:
We also heard a lot of other big ideas on the podcast this week, like:
So, enjoy these ideas and then turn off your devices for a while. Maybe it's time to worship at a more worthy altar.
By the way, if you're interested in having these and thousands of other big ideas right in your pocket, download the Next Big Idea app .