ChatGPT AI - Could it create new religions texts?
Yuval Noah Harari, a bestselling author and historian, recently spoke about the potential for generative AI, like ChatGPT, to shape human culture. He discussed how AI could write new religious texts that a non-human intelligence created. This idea is not a new one, with religions throughout history claiming their texts were composed by an unknown human intelligence. However, Harari believes that AI could make this claim a reality, with far-reaching consequences.
According to Harari, machines could cocoon humans in a Matrix-like world of illusions using the tools currently at their disposal. For thousands of years, language and storytelling have been used by politicians, prophets, and poets to manipulate and control people and reshape society. Now, AI could be able to do the same, without even needing to send killer robots. It could manipulate humanity to pull the trigger, which is why Harari is advocating for tighter regulation and faster action before AI gets out of control.
Harari is not the only one to express concern about AI and its potential dangers. Elon Musk and the 'Godfather of AI' Geoffrey Hinton have also warned of the potential risks of unscrupulous world leaders, such as Vladimir Putin, unleashing dangerous AI onto the world. Hinton has resigned from his role in Google's AI development team, stating that he regrets his work "because of the potential dangers" of the technology.
AI has the potential to eclipse human knowledge and do simple reasoning already. GPT-4, a chatbot, has a significantly larger amount of general knowledge than a person. However, it is not as good at reasoning, yet.
Harari’s statement about AI writing religion's texts may sound like science fiction, but it is wise to heed his warning about the potential risks of AI. The idea of an AI-created religion may sound outlandish or even impossible, but the development of AI is advancing at an astonishing rate. Therefore, we must be alert and vigilant before the technology gets out of our control.
