Pursuing the Divine through Intelligent Machines: Fallacy of Futural Techno‐Salvation

Abstract

As we engineer self‐improving machines, the prospect of their evolution into divine beings may spark awe and wonder. This essay delves into the intricate relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence systems, considering several cultural narratives that portray AI systems as god‐like entities that have the potential to respond to humans' deepest needs and, at the same time, to destroy us and human civilization. Intelligent machines can evoke a reverence akin to responses that are usually reserved for spiritual beings that are deemed capable of offering salvation. This essay draws parallels between ordinary human longings for salvation and the notion of techno‐salvation, purportedly to be achieved through the use of machines. In narratives depicting futural techno‐salvation, a theme of separation or distance often appears in the form of a gap (for example, between our present state and the possibility of our complete happiness) that needs to be bridged and can be bridged only with the help of a supernatural mediator or savior. From a Zen perspective, recognizing the illusory nature of futural wants (which project fulfillment into an imagined future) discloses the illusory nature of individual personhood itself. The self, often assumed to be a fixed and independent entity, is instead understood as a transient, interdependent process arising from one moment to the next. This insight—central to Zen practice—encourages a ceasing to project salvation onto external agents or powers, including artificial intelligence systems and other technological mediators. Instead, it catalyzes a transformative journey inward, wherein spiritual awakening arises, not through the attainment of a desired, future state but through a direct realization of the present moment.