Would You Be Comfortable With An AI God?

Hi, everyone.

Sometime last year, I stumbled upon this web series called 'Upload' on an OTT platform. This sci-fi comedy-drama explores the idea of a 'virtual afterlife'. The characters in the show have the option to either die 'naturally' hoping the 'religious afterlife' is true, or they could opt for a virtual afterlife where they can upload their consciousness and pay for an interactive, connected experience after 'death'. Quite fascinating stuff to see technology take over the realm traditionally reserved for the spiritual. Yes, it's a bit unsettling too. If you've seen the show, drop your thoughts in the comments.

I was reminded of this show this week because I wondered what happens when the lines between spirituality and technology blur. As science breaches the boundaries of what we once considered purely spiritual, are we heading towards a future where AI could be the next god? Let me reframe the question: will you accept an AI God as the one true god?

After all, if people can believe in ancient texts, why not in lines of code? Could this be the moment where religion and science finally converge for the greater good? No, I am not debating for its sake. These thoughts are based on some recent experiments that religious organisations and tech wiz have done at the intersection of technology and religion.

In an article this week, I've detailed a few instances. For example, a Switzerland church has installed an "AI Jesus" in a confession box. While this is not his 'Second Coming' in the actual sense, tourists from across the world are thronging to 'speak to him' as 'AI Jesus' can converse in over 100 languages.

Not only Gods, there are some prophets in the AI race, too. In 2015, a former Google engineer, Anthony Levandowski, founded a religious organisation, "Way of the Future". This 'church' aimed to develop/discover an "AI god" produced via AI. But, apparently, this was struck by the hand of God. The 'religious organisation' was dissolved in 2021.

Religion is only one of the tangential areas benefiting from the AI hype. Let me talk about how certain connected sectors are driving surprising economic returns.

Fujikura Ltd. is a 139-year-old Japanese cable company that has become the hottest stock on the Nikkei 225 (a stock index similar to India's Nifty 50). This company, which traces its roots back to 1885 when its founder made wires insulated with silk and cotton, has seen its shares surge over 400% this year. But what's the AI connection, you ask? This story lays it out. The company, which counts Apple Inc. among its biggest customers, specialises in fibre optic cables. Its products have some of the smallest diameters in the industry, allowing them to be used in narrow spaces without additional tunnelling. So, naturally, when data centres grow, the requirement to pack them with efficient wiring grows, too.

And where do such data centres come up? The answer is what's benefiting Texas Pacific Land Corp., a century-old landowner company in Texas. This company has seen its stocks rally a staggering 230%. You can read more about this unlikely beneficiary of the AI frenzy in this story.

What other sectors do you think could benefit from artificial intelligence's growth? Are you excited about AI's potential in spiritual contexts, or do you have reservations? I am keen to hear your thoughts.

See you in the next edition.

Aaqib Raza Khan,

Deputy Editor - Content Innovation,

NDTV