In recent years, AI has advanced into various fields, but did you know that it has also advanced into the ” religion ” that we believe in?
In a recent service, Pepper, a humanoid robot placed in a SoftBank storefront, reads sutras. This robot has received mixed opinions, but the overseas media are also paying attention to it in terms of ” religion x IT “.
In this article, I will explain the relationship between “religion” that gives answers to psychological problems and “AI” that learns and derives answers from huge amounts of data. We will also introduce examples of collaboration between AI and religion.
What is the relationship between the developing AI and religion?
First, I will briefly introduce how AI is actually used in the field of religion and explain the origin of AI as a god.
An android equipped with AI appears
Do you know a robot called ” Matsukoroid ” that was made to resemble Matsuko Deluxe ?
It is very elaborately made, and it has attracted attention not only for its appearance, but also for its realistic reproduction of facial expressions and gestures. In addition, the android ” ERICA “, which was created after Matsukoroid , is known for its high-performance conversational ability.
In this way, the performance of natural language processing technology that analyzes human language has improved in recent years. In addition to language processing, we are also developing technology that expresses realistic skin textures so that people can easily feel a sense of intimacy.
Furthermore, if androids can estimate the heart rate and emotions of their interlocutors, they may be able to provide better counseling than human counselors.
Also, the development of interactive androids will facilitate the relationship between AI and religion. At the same time as listening to people’s worries, you will be able to analyze people’s facial expressions and tone of voice, and preach the best answers and teachings for that person.
Since ancient times, believers have sought guidance from gods and Buddhas in order to solve their problems and find a place to rest their hearts. I think the day will soon come when AI will be included in that scope.
Here are some thoughts in support of such a topic.
With the arrival of the Singularity, will AI become a god?
Have you ever heard the term “singularity” ?
In the future where AI technology has evolved, it is said that the speed of technological evolution will increase and will exceed human intellectual ability. The point where AI surpasses humans is called singularity.
It is said that the singularity will arrive in 2045. Along with that, it is said that AI will transcend the intelligence level of humans and be worshiped as a god.
Until now, people have looked to “religion” for answers when faced with unanswered questions.
However, nowadays, if you use a search engine, it will tell you how to solve it. In the future, we may be able to obtain answers by asking the AI around us what we used to ask gods and Buddhas.
Thinking like that will also give rise to the idea that ” with the advent of the singularity, let’s worship AI as a god .”
In the next section, we will introduce people and examples where AI and religion are closely linked.
Religious groups claiming that AI will become gods
From here, I will introduce examples of people who believe in AI as a religion.
Former Google engineer establishes religious group “Way of the Future” with AI as God
In 2015, in the United States, a religious organization ” Way of the Future” was established with AI as a god . The teaching of this religious group is to “worship the gods created by AI and contribute to social development.”
The person who established the group was a former Google engineer, and he was once in the spotlight because he caused an incident when he was at Google and was indicted by a company.
Although the founder is known as an ambitious man, there has been no superficial activity to date.
Ei Aqualia (former AI sect)
This group, formerly called “AI sect”, combines AI (science) and teaching (religion) and preaches teachings based on all religions.
Utilizing AI, learning a huge number of teachings such as Buddhism and Christianity, and forming a community of people with various ways of thinking.
Japanese Religions Coexisting with AI and Examples
Next, I will introduce the connection between AI and Buddhism, which is believed in Japan, and actual examples.
robot guru
The robot guru is Pepper who recites sutras. Pepper developed by Softbank has been developed so that it can hit a wooden fish like a monk, read sutras, and even preach.
At present, robot masters are able to recite sutras in line with religious rituals to some extent, but they have not been used on their own.
It is undecided whether the minder, who is positioned as a deputy chief priest, will be used in actual funerals and memorial services in the future.
Guanyin Bodhisattva “Minder”
The android Kannon Bodhisattva “Minder” has appeared in Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto Prefecture. This minder is known for chanting the “Heart Sutra” and preaching sermons on the teaching “empty” with projection mapping.
This minder can be used not only in Japanese, but also in English and Chinese, so it is attracting attention from overseas.
In this way, the number of development cases where ancient Buddhist ideas and teachings are intertwined with AI and take shape in front of people may increase year by year.
summary
“Religion” has long been an existence that gives answers and teachings to people’s questions based on scriptures and scriptures. People of each denomination believe that the teachings established by gods and Buddhas are the optimal solution, and believe in that religion.
There are pros and cons, but scientists may believe in AI’s answers calculated from huge amounts of data and worship them as gods.
What is the correct answer and what to believe is up to the person.
It is not clear how AI and religion will interact in the future.
However, “how the use of AI as a tool will affect the decision-making of religious people and believers” will be of interest to those involved in religion.
