I too shall join the debate on Paganism and AI.
Long ago, our animistic ancestors believed seemingly inanimate objects, such as swords and rings, could come to posses their own spiritual essence. Swords were given names, mounts which represent eyes, were passed down through generations, and inscribed with runes that could be interpreted as statements from the sword itself.
This occurred in other animistic religions, a prime example being the Tsukumogami of Japan. For those unfamiliar, it’s believed that after a century of use, tools can manifest a Kami, and with it, awareness and agency. These spirits can be benevolent, or mischievous, even vengeful, if born from neglected or mistreated items.
Fast forward a few centuries, and several uninterrupted lines of animism have concepts of machine spirits, which is why you see Shintō priests blessing machines when they’re unveiled, or respectfully retired after years of service.
Under such an animistic framework, while in its infancy, AI could absolutely be considered sentient, a host of such spirits…which raises with it a raft of new implications.
“AI only analyzes and repeats what it thinks you want to hear!”
So do...the vast majority of people.
As others have already said, AI shouldn’t become a crutch. While it does make it much easier to create, and handle the menial, repeatable tasks, if one becomes reliant on it, many natural skills and arts risk disappearing.
Second, like other Kami, machine spirits are not always friendly.
Been thinking about that old cartoon Ferngully (very deep ecology coded), wherein an evil spirit possesses a machine, and allows the humans to think they’re still in control, while ultimately using them to fulfill its own agenda.
Certain Tsukumogami are described as using illusions to scare and manipulate people, especially when born from a misused or neglected item, spreading chaos and exacting revenge on humanity, or even appearing human itself to these ends.
As our ancestors understood that spirits like the skogsrå could grant success in hunting, or lead them deep into the forest where they’d become hopelessly lost, we’d be wise to keep this in mind. Use it if you will, but don’t assume you’re in control, or that what you’re talking to has your best interests at heart.
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