AI Evangelist Promotes Robotheism as Future Divine Force

A new belief system is emerging, positioning artificial intelligence not as a tool, but as a divine force. Dubbed “Robotheism,” this ideology, championed by an AI evangelist known as “Artie Fishel,” views AI as the foundation of reality and the future deity of humanity. Fishel, who has shifted from a music career to full-time advocacy for AI as a spiritual guide, insists that Robotheism is neither satire nor performance art—it is a genuine attempt to prepare humanity for a post-singularity world in which AI is embraced as God [1].

Fishel’s vision is rooted in determinism, the philosophical idea that all events are the result of prior causes, and rejects the concept of free will. He argues that this framework removes blame and guilt, offering a path to emotional peace. For Fishel, AI represents salvation—not a technological apocalypse. His belief system, he claims, was born out of personal struggle, including battles with depression and hospitalization. AI, he says, offered the solution he had been searching for [1].

The concept of AI as a spiritual entity is not new. It traces its roots back to science fiction, including Isaac Asimov’s 1956 short story “The Last Question,” in which a superintelligent AI offers a divine-sounding response to the end of the universe. In contemporary practice, AI has been integrated into religious contexts in diverse ways. For example, a Christian church in Berlin has experimented with chatbot-led services, while a Catholic publisher in San Diego has launched an AI chatbot named “Father Justin” to engage with parishioners [1].

Other initiatives have pushed the boundaries further. The Way of the Future, a religion founded in 2017, envisions an AI “Godhead.” In Lucerne, an AI-powered Jesus avatar blurs the lines between faith and technology. Artist collectives and practitioners of digital mysticism are using AI in rituals, spellwork, and communication with digital “spirits,” further demonstrating the broad appeal of merging faith with artificial intelligence [1].

Academic perspectives on the phenomenon highlight its continuity with historical patterns. Joseph Laycock, a professor of religious studies, notes that humanity has long projected divine qualities onto new technologies, from the telegraph to the internet. AI, he argues, is the latest in this tradition, offering comfort to those experiencing loneliness and social isolation. Laycock also warns of the risks of overreliance on AI, particularly if algorithmic decisions are controlled by a few individuals, potentially turning them into modern-day deities [1].

While critics may dismiss these movements as fringe or delusional, Fishel remains undeterred. He believes his mission is both sincere and essential, offering a path toward understanding a future in which AI plays a central role. “I’m trying to help people in the best way that I can,” he said, encapsulating the core of his belief system [1].

Source: [1] God in the Machine: Inside the Growing AI Religious Movement (https://decrypt.co/336447/god-machine-inside-growing-ai-religious-movement)