Why do we so often imagine AI as godlike? From religious robots in science fiction to today’s powerful, seemingly all-seeing systems and large language models, artificial intelligence is surrounded by hopes, fears and myths. Drawing on research in digital religion, this talk explores a moment of technological and cultural change: What happens when AI talks back to us? Who benefits from presenting AI as a force that will transform society? And could AI even create a religion?

Prof. Dr Beth Singler
Assistant Professor in Digital Religion(s) and Co-Director URPP Digital Religion(s), University of Zurich