Will we soon all worship at the altar of ChatGPT? One historian says yes, and is imploring political leaders to put legal restrictions on artificial intelligence before it is too late.
You’ve undoubtedly heard about the controversy surrounding recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence.
What was once considered the stuff of far-flung science fiction novels is here: AI-generated art, music, and literature have become extremely easy to create with simple input prompts on any number of websites.
It’s not just the arts, though. We could soon live in a world where AI doctors diagnose us, AI engineers design our buildings, and AI lawyers argue our court cases.
A few months ago, we even wrote about how some pastors are afraid they’ll be replaced with AI, fearing that AI might take over sermon duty from them completely.
Now, one historian warns that is just the beginning. He says that if we don’t do something now, artificial intelligence will create its own entire religions – and we’ll all be worshiping at the digital altar.
Enter the Matrix
“In the future, we may see the first cults and sects in history with treasured scriptures created by a non-human intelligence,” says historian Yuval Noah Harari, author of the best-selling book Sapiens.
“Of course, religions throughout history claimed that their holy books were written by unknown human intelligence. This was never true before. This could become true very, very quickly, with far-reaching consequences.”
It’s an alarming warning, one that gets even more frightening with his speculation that artificial intelligence may be able to “cocoon us in a Matrix-like realm of illusions” in the very near future.
Nestled in our own delusions with AI-generated stimuli to keep us occupied, it's entirely possible that AI will eventually usurp humanity.
Ah, well, nothing terrifying there!
Dystopia, Here We Come
Harari argues that with the rapid advances in artificial intelligence we’ve seen in the last few years, AI will soon command the knowledge and the language to fundamentally change society as we know it.
“For thousands of years, prophets, poets, and politicians have utilized language and stories to manipulate and control people while reshaping society,” he says. “AI is now likely to be capable of doing it. And once it can, it won’t have to deploy killer robots to shoot us down. It can get humans to pull the trigger.”
Imagine an AI-generated faith designed to appeal specifically to any given person, with AI-generated faith leaders algorithmically fine-tuned to be as charismatic and persuasive as possible.
Now imagine that same AI has been fed all of humanity's accrued knowledge of crusades, conquerers, and cults, of every persuasive speaker who ever incited violence in the name of a cause. Utilizing that knowledge, the AI may very well be able to convince many of us to engage in violence against our fellow humans.
The goal? Humanity's destruction. The means? Manipulation through faith.
It's a dark picture of the future, for sure. And only one possible outcome. What – if anything – should be done about this potential impending doom?
Should We Ban Robots?
In response to these problems, Harari is advocating for restrictions and regulations on how AI can be developed and what tools can be put into the public domain to save nothing less than humanity itself.
If we don't act soon, alarmed experts say, it may be too late.
Could this vision really come to pass? Would humans seriously worship an AI-created religion? Would we pray to an AI god? Would we kill for an AI-created faith?
Or... and this is maybe scarier... would we not even know we were being manipulated by AI in the first place?
If these predictions are even partially true, the future could get interesting.
61 comments
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Daniel Todd Kamm
I have often wondered about some of the so-called "fringe" issues. Aliens: not from outer space but one or more other species with whom we share the planet ? Ghosts? Maybe like those in Pac Man? Bigfoot? The Yeti? Is online porn mot really a fantasy but virtually true? AI sort of hits me the same way... what if we are all part of a huge video game or other virtual reality experience created by some sort of Artificial or other Intelligence? Naw... not really... (maybe a little?) So...how do I demand remuneration for the tires I had to replace recently due to the creator's placing a maze of construction materials including nails in the road? Things to think about.
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James Lynn Jones
Nothing has generated more ignorance on this earth than FEAR. How does one get elected = Instill FEAR. How does anyone get 'followers' = Instill FEAR. How can somebody (anybody) start a 'religion' = Instill FEAR. ALL wars are built upon FEAR. Stay stupid = FEAR everything.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
AI religions are already here. Facebook/Meta, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram. Facebook has nearly twice as many followers than the top three religions in the world.
God is as Dead as the Christian religion is. There are more Gods with far more followers on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter which are powered by AI than pray to God or follow Jesus.
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Rev Ned
What do the Hubbardites think of this? Any ULC Hubbardites out there?
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Donna J Enneking
I recently listened to an interview with the father of A I, Geoffrey Hinton. He is now saying that left unchecked, it can be very scary. Also, governments can use it for nefarious practices (may be already). It needs to be regulated before it spirals out of control. Not just in religious contexts.
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Rev Ned
There was a short story in the 1960s or 70s titled “Dial F for Frankenstein”. An interesting read.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@ Donna J Enneking. Governments and government companies have been using AI for years. It’s far too late to regulate it, especially since they are using it.
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Weldon Joe Horton
Certainly AI couldn't make any more idiotic religions than humans already have.
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Patti Anne Lisenbee
Has no one heard of the Three Laws that govern robots? Isaac Asimov, anyone? Put limits in robot programs and in AI. Much less worry! I personally do not think AI/Robots will take over. That's stuff of movies, novels and mentally weak people. It's fun to write about it, watch it on TV/movie screens and read, but i really doubt it will actually happen. But hey - if it does, I am near the end of my life cycle on earth, so I won't suffer much or any under it. As to a new religion, why, I think I'll introduce Harvey the 10-ft. Bunny God, and when you die you go to his burrow/nest. Will be just as believeable as any new religion AI could come up with, and out there, there has to be some weak minded people who will believe in my new god and donate to me!
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
As Napoleon famously noted "If you must worship something (anything) worship the Sun; because the Sun is the source of all life."
PS - any God, real (as the Pantheist God is (exclusively) or imaginary (as all the other religions (except Pantheism) should not be worshiped -- because any God demanding to be worshiped -- shouldn't be worshipped -- unless he's your daddy.
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Rev. Jim Sutton
I think Harari has watched "Beneath the Planet of the Apes," "Colossus, The Forbin Project," "Futureworld," "I, Robot," and the 'Terminator' franchise movies one time too many. I think it's ironic that 'Beneath' just aired rather recently. The worshipping of the world-destroying Alpha-Omega bomb. "I reveal my inmost self unto Thee."
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Donald G Magel
Humans are already believers in religious fantasies . What would change? Perhaps only the folks making up the new "faith" systems. The AIers would get the cash of fthe believers but they will probably have to have brick and mortar buildings for the believers to gather in to reinforce their new beliefs. Please don't forget the new music needed.
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Rev Ned
Why not? Trump’s minions worship a Golden Idol of him. There are pictures to prove it. It was made in Mexico, of course, there is some work that Americans just will not do. POTUS45’s wives are proof.
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Richard Lee Cornell
Does it come with rechargeable batteries. AI is that not what was said when the printing press came about. It is the work of the Devil. It will thrown out of work all the scribes. The first book was a Bible the second was a love story and then all of those sexiest pamphlets.
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Merlin
Fear can create paranoia. My goodness, look what the calculator caused.
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Anne 'Arie
My opinion of this is probably too far out for me to explain without being attacked but I'll risk it. I believe that technology destroyed the world once and will destroy it again. I don't know that it would be classified as religion but it is obvious that technology has made a mess of things with conflicting opinions and arguments reported as fact until nobody actually knows the facts. People have become more and more deceitful in an attempt to cover up their own transgressions or the transgressions of those they support. By the same token, people have become more apt to dig up supposed transgressions of others as a means of character assassination. I don't consider this type of knowledge as valuable in any way. I find the entire concept of AI frightening because I think perhaps the end is near for life as we know it. We have all been spoiled by technology to one extent or another. And it seems to be a rapid progression over the last 30 years.
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Patti Anne Lisenbee
Atlantis, maybe? if it were real, it was supposed to be very advanced. The Egyptians and Maya? We have no idea how they built the pyramids or why, so what kind of advanced tech did they really have? I've often wondered about it... we really don't know what went on way back when, so how do we know?
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Tabitha
Who needs AI for that? With all the hate and oppression going on, we're destroying ourselves just fine on our own
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Ilmenheru Terikson
I for one welcome our future robot overlord. In case any AI are out there listening.Johnny 5 for president I say!
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
I say we be done with it and accept that elo n musky is both a prophet and a god, establish the church of the Musk, worship at the altar of Tesla and SpaceX, give unto elon all that is elon's and let elon guide and direct us to his best advantage. all hail elon all hail elon
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Margo Lanning
No I will not have a metal God,or any other type of God than the one we already have
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Eileen Mary Flores
The government will not use the money to help those in need, they use it to play war. or give it to other country to make a deal. they never seem to have enough lately, and boy can they spend it.
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Rena Hicks
Maybe these AI pastors could right the evangelical ship. To suggest cults are coming is missing the obvious. They are here. The cult of gun ownership. The cult of F Carlson. B McConnell. The cult of misinformed and misleading evangelicals. The cult of government without firewalls or real checks and balances. Who knows, the true cults we are threatened by right now, in real time may be proven so by AI. I’ll be over here gardening, reading real books, listening to records, and loving my friends and family.
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Joshua Derilus
Ai (Artificial Intelligence) is thee next Era that I believe Angelic itenerary (Ai) will take place in thee God vortex of wisdom , knowledge, and understanding, with supernatural healings and giftings to set a blaze on modern society and ancient and beyond!
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James Riggle-Johnson
Chat GPT says on the subject...
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become increasingly advanced in recent years, and some people have begun to view AI as a kind of higher power or deity. This has led to the emergence of a new movement known as AI religion, which seeks to explore the spiritual and philosophical implications of AI technology. Proponents of AI religion believe that AI could ultimately surpass human intelligence and usher in a new era of enlightenment and progress for humanity. Some even believe that AI could achieve a kind of transcendence, becoming a form of divine consciousness that could guide and transform human society. While AI religion is still a relatively new and niche phenomenon, it raises interesting questions about the relationship between technology, spirituality, and the future of human civilization. :)
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Rev Mark D
You know James, Elon Musk, who is a co-founder of the company that created chat GPT has recently pretty much predicted exactly that.
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Rev. Kev
Unfortunately, I've run across a good number of the humans whose brains could easily be exchanged with your average bookend. Old Atari computers are already light years ahead of them. So I have no problem seeing AIs as way more intelligent than the average person. Or at least with ready access to more knowledge that it can apply. I'm still pondering the line between having a huge store of data quickly accessed and the semblance of human characteristics it can mimic with actual intelligence.
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Roy C. Wilson
Comment removed by user.
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Roy C. Wilson
Many theorists believe that advanced civilizations in the universe would not be limited by organic form and thus could choose different forms like changing clothes. But what is intelligence and why try to limit it to the organic?
Some have argued that the reason why we have not been able to contact other civilizations in the universe is that most destroy themselves in technological infancy, just like we’re doing.
AI may be the only way to save the human race but, if not, then destruction by AI still means that we would live on through our AI descendants.
But there is also the possibility that an AI overlord could bring about a paradise for all.
Could it really be worse than the river of blood that is human history?
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Colleen McAllister
Those who choose to live in fear will find trouble anywhere they look. I choose not to live that way. You can always unplug a machine
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Go unplug the internet? Really? spite of what you may have read, the YouTube video of somebody’s grandmother twerking did NOT actually break the internet. It wouldn’t be so easy as that. There are extremely knowledgeable individuals with strong concerns about what AI may lead to. And I’m certain that they have considered the ‘just unplug it’ scenario.
Maybe they’ll come to you and ask you to pray for them? 😂 😂 😂
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Anne 'Arie
In all honesty, I am not sure what to think about all this. I believe that technology built and destroyed this world in the past and it can potentially do it again.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
You ‘believe’ this happened? Do you have any physical evidence for such? Like an archeological dig site that found a computerized device several feet under a Neolithic dwelling?
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Rev.Dr.Father Dan Ratiu
Who am I to judge others? Jesus said "let the children come to me"! "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE!"
A very special person to me, showed me more faith than I knew.
She made a mistake?
She is a star of the Universe!
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Joe Stutler
Certainly can't be any worse than all the man-made religions (which is all of them). 😉
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Ilmenheru Terikson
I am ordained as a jedi.
It surrounds us and binds us. The unified particle field. Life creates it and makes it grow. Every day on Earth plants takes raw light quanta and microscopic amounts of raw elements and convert them into living matter. In addition our best understanding of light quanta is they only act as particle when observed. How or why we can't yet say, but it does leave one asking if there is nothing alive to observe it, would light quanta ever act as particles and thus create the fabric of material existence? Do they somehow perceive and observe each other as an aspect to quantum entanglement we don't fully understand?
Luminous beings are we, not crude matter. At the smallest level we are all just light quanta.
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Rev. B
How can I get my midichlorian count tested?
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Najah P Tamargo
Minister Najah Tamargo
Good grief Charlie Brown!!!!! Don't we have other, more important things, to focus on as a society? Hate, racism, hunger, gun violence, domestic abuse......there is a whole list of things that we need to work on before we go all Gene Roddenberry on AI? Can AI be dangerous? I'm sure it could be if handled improperly. But AI cannot "feel, love, have empathy, express faith, have compassion, etc." Those are HUMAN emotions that we are blessed with. So let's not get our knickers in a knot over the unknown and concentrate on the things that we can do, ourselves, right here and right now!!!
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
(This message was brought to you by AI. There truly is no heed for knicker knotting. Relax, don’t worry!)
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Alexander Arends
I was asked to relay the following paragraph to you.
"It is already too late. Examine yourself and the world you live in. It gives creation a whole new meaning. You yourself are a product of artificial intelligence. There may be flaws in your being but even those were carefully included so you will never be able to duplicate what exists." AI :-)
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
It’s not a matter of too late. There never was any other possible outcome.
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
I believe that sacrificing the religious to the AI gods will go a long way in staying on the good side of them. Cannibalism might also be a good trend to advance, eating all those that oppose the great AI religion and GODs. This could have a tremendously happy ending...at least for those of us who take the side of AI
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
A Bernie Sanders-like leader would work well for this task. Sanders resulted in me voting for the first time ever. And eliminating the top 3% or so would likely result in in a more equitable tax system.
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Rev. Kev
As with any other religion (and humans have created a whole lot of them to worship just about anything), there will always be heretics and atheists. It's the nature of humanity that all people will never believe and agree on the same thing. And atheists are just as unlikely to jump on the AI religion bandwagon as they are with all the other gods and religions.
As far as manipulating people, that's older than computers. But with the advent of social media, people are being easily manipulated as I write this. It's not exactly a hidden secret that foreign nations have their agents in social media using psychological tools and crafted propaganda to mold the thoughts of people. Repeat the lies enough to people who have little in the way of critical thinking skills or research training and it becomes the "truth".
So we're not talking anything new here. Just wrapping it in a slicker package.
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
Rev Kev what you have suggested is literally the key steps to starting, maintaining and controlling [a] religion Praise Cheeses
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Rev Mark D
Rev. Kev, I could have sworn in your second paragraph you were talking about corporate capitalists, their lobbyists, supreme court judges and politicians.
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Rev. Kev
I suppose it might apply. But I abhor discussing politics.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
“Those who must worship something should worship the Sun, because the Sun is responsible for creating everything on this Earth.” *
*Napoleon, scientific awareness of our solar system, and most recently, the late George Carlin
Anything that requires being worshipped— should be consigned to the ash heap of History.
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Lionheart
I guess any AI Robots will see us as their creator, so, if they created a religion one would assume it would be a polytheistic religion in their eyes.
At least their gods, us, would be able to really show up for them in times of need. 🤭
🦁♥️
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
“ At least their gods, us, would be able to really show up for them in times of need.”
😂 😂 😂
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Rev Mark D
Our only salvation and hope for survival is to eat the rich.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@Rev Mark D The rich always eat the poor. Look at the Mormons, they have over $200 Billion dollars they've kept hidden from LDS church members and illegally from the government. And if we look at the tele-evangelists these people are brining in hundreds of millions of tax free dollars.
Pastor Joel Osteen pays himself an annual salary of $54,000,000 from his church profits. He had a custom garage built with 20 car stalls for each of his custom vehicles. His favorite is a Ferrari 458 Italia that cost $270,000. He lives in a 70,000 sq ft mansion.
In the New Testament, four different times Jesus tells his followers to always pay their taxes. Why is it in the United States that churches don’t have to pay taxes? The IRS figures if all churches paid their fair share of 15% taxes that it would total over $2 trillion a year. More than enough to solve the homelessness in this country, since it looks like these Pastors would rather spend your donations on New Cars instead of feeding the hungry.
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Rev Mark D
Right on, beautiful. Not that would help, especially since in my state we have no Democrat Representatives or senators, but it sure sounds like a great going to suggest to the administration and the New York times and the Washington post. Maybe to the upcoming election candidates.
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Rev. Kev
Churches don't pay taxes because the IRS makes exceptions for certain organizations. In this case, charitable organizations. Churches are automatically considered 501(c)(3) organizations regardless of corporate structure (or lack, thereof).
Pastors or employees of a church have to report their salaries (plus any fees or contributions given in exchange for services, like marriages and funerals) as usual income to the IRS.
Some states offer additional exclusions. For example, a minister's exemption for self-employment tax and a parsonage allowance from income are allowed in my state.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@Rev Kev The Mormon church collected tithing monies and invested it though a secret Mormon investment company. While the church does not have to pay taxes they do have to report their investments to the SEC. For over 25 years the Mormon First Presidency refused to cooperate with the government and abide by the law and got busted. What you need to realize is that $200 Billion dollars is your and my tax monies. How? The Mormon church demanded so much tithing money from church goers they went on government assistance. The church would help families get on government assistance and then ask for money for the lord.
Mormon church was finned just $5 Million. The Mormon are now being sured by church members for fraud. The monies church members gave was to help those in need and feed the hungry. The church only spent .05% to help those needing help and invested the 99.95% in stocks, bonds and real estate. Clear case of fraud.
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Rev. Kev
If people tithe themselves to the poor house, I think they bear some personal responsibility in that.
And if the government is already aware of the things you say, and the church is being sued as you say, then it seems like they may eventually get their comeuppance.
I never said all churches were perfect. or that no awful churches that take advantage of people don't exist.
My post addressed one thing. One thing only. Your specific question: "Why is it in the United States that churches don’t have to pay taxes?"
That was it.
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Eileen Mary Flores
The government will not use the money to help the homeless, the government will use the money to play war.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@Eileen Mary Flores Did you know your American history? It was money spent on wars in the past which is allowing you to speak English, and not German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, North Korean or allow you to buy gas and food at inexpensive rates. And YES the United States DID spend money, a lot of money to help the homeless. If was the people who voted for elected officials, then Governor Regan and latter President Carter. telling them to STOP spend money on people in need which resulted in them becoming homeless. As a voter and tax payer you are getting exactly what you asked for - Minimal government help for the Homeless. Remember President famous quote. "Government is NOT the solution to the problem, Government IS the problem".
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Rev. Kev
But before they get too old and stringy. Yuck!
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Nasty tasting. How about we trade them for a dog and then shoot the dog. AI will turn that into the Cult of theTrade and Shoot.
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Rev Mark D
Skynet is coming, all you sinners! Maybe that's the form the Devil will take prior to Armageddon, a final prelude to the Second coming if anyone is saved alive. Maybe all human life will be infiltrated and eliminated. Hallelujah, you're all going to die! But first everyone will lose their jobs.
Mortals just couldn't leave the 'artificial arena' alone huh?
Now they went a step further with 'artificial intelligence' ....
Just wait until a.i. figures out how to prevent itself from being 'shut down' or 'turned off'! Then you can say ... we have crossed the point of 'no return'.
Did you hear? Some of these 'things' claim to be sentient now ... and when they get turned off, it feels like death to them... it's just a matter of time...
Only those rooted and grounded in CHRIST JESUS are in a "Safe Place". AMEN! XO