AI Will Kill Monotheism

The Cycle Back to Polytheism Through AI Personalities

How will we interact with AI in the next 10 years?

It will be like the days of old. The days when polytheistic deities offered answers to life’s challenges.

What is Polytheism?

Polytheism is the belief in many gods.

It has been a fundamental aspect of various cultures throughout history. It characterizes most religions other than Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which are monotheistic. Gods of polytheism have specific roles and concepts.

They can coexist with other belief systems too. AI will be a modern copy of this concept. There will be different AIs for different aspects of our lives. There will be a personal AI for health, relationships, therapy, etc.

We will have our intimate relationships with these AIs as we did with the gods of Olympus.

Why?

Jung on Religious Instincts

Jung believed the human inclination towards religious belief is deep in our psyche.

Religion is the symbolic expression of life's meaning, stemming from the collective unconscious. This unconscious contains archetypes, and universal mythological themes central to all major religions. Psychological health is best when consciousness maintains its connection with this religious aspect.

The West is more secular now, and religion has taken a backseat in most of our lives. However, religious instincts in humans remain the same. Many fill feed this hunger with materialism, thought leaders, and political dogmas.

AI will be another option that can fill this religious void in our souls.

We Already Cultivate Digital Relationships

Rex Woodbury has pointed out that it is more common to find your “best friend” today.

We are already comfortable creating meaningful relationships through a digital medium. This can extend to cultivating meaningful and intimate relationships with non-human entities (AI).

People are already using apps like Replika and Digi to have relationships with AI personas right now. The experience of AI Companions will only get better with technology. The more real they get, the more real it will feel.

Consumers Want Experiences

We want personalities and experiences.

As consumer preferences evolve, there's a growing demand for experiences that are more personalized and engaging. This trend goes beyond just using products or services; it's about creating an emotional connection.

Greg Isenberg’s theory of the future of web design supports this claim as well. Products will shift from apps to personalities/experiences because of consumer demand. He suggests that the digital world will move towards creating environments and interactions that feel more real and immersive, much like a storyline or a journey.

Products and platforms will transition from mere tools to becoming experiences that resonate on a personal level, shaped by consumer desire for deeper, more meaningful digital engagements.

A Future of New Religions

Modern and personal religions will emerge.

As I already mentioned, humans have a religious appetite that needs to be fed. If we don’t, our lives become meaningless. The existential questions that plague our minds will be further exacerbated by AI replacing a majority of repetitive jobs that give our lives some semblance of purpose.

There are two main camps I put these new religions into:

1. Shared Polytheism

2. Personal Religion / Individuation

Shared Polytheism

When we have more time to focus on ourselves rather than work, we will place greater emphasis on Aestheticism and Asceticism. This will be a common ground that all humans share.

Aesethicism - Art & Beauty

There will be a set of AI that helps us get in touch with our artistic inclinations.

They will help us create more with less effort. In this envisioned Aestheticism aspect, AI will act as a catalyst and collaborator in artistic endeavors. They will not only simplify the creative process but also inspire new forms of art, encouraging individuals to explore and express their unique artistic visions. We will see a Cambrian explosion of human creativity focusing on beauty and art.

It will democratize art-making, making it accessible to all, regardless of skill level, and fostering a rich, vibrant cultural landscape

Ascetism - Self-Discipline

The other set of AI’s will be our guides to a life of discipline and good health.

The AI in this aspect of Shared Polytheism will serve as mentors and coaches, guiding individuals towards healthier lifestyles and disciplined practices. They could offer personalized fitness routines, nutritional advice, and wellness strategies, tailored to each person's needs and goals. Moreover, these AI could also encourage mental health practices, such as meditation and mindfulness, fostering a holistic approach to health.

This AI-driven move towards discipline and health will create a fundamental societal value, strengthening community connections and shared goals.

Common Ground

In Shared Polytheism, the focus on Aestheticism and Ascetism becomes a communal experience.

Aestheticism, enhanced by AI, allows for a shared appreciation and creation of art and beauty, fostering a collective creative spirit. Asceticism, guided by AI, promotes a universal pursuit of discipline and health. These shared experiences, enabled and enriched by AI, not only foster individual growth but also create a sense of community and shared values.

They form a common cultural and spiritual ground where humans can connect and grow together, reflecting a unified aspect of human experience in the AI-augmented future

Personal Religions

I define Personal Religion as one’s relationship with oneself and the world around them.

This will involve a combination of introspection of the inner world and exploration of the external world. Personal religion will be more commonplace because we won't need to rely on traditional religious systems for authority as we explore our own experiences. Having personal AI for self-reflection and synthesizing personal philosophies will be the new way we fill our souls with meaning.

AI is faster with pattern recognition and analysis than humans are. We can use this technology to quicken the cycles of exploration and realization. It can be a helpful guide, answering questions we have on our journies to individuation.

I don’t see this as a bad thing. AI will simply make spiritual practices accessible to everyone regardless of their competence when starting.

What should we do?

To the entrepreneurs looking for the next big thing to build, I would become an expert in human psychology and social interaction.

Use this knowledge to create AI products that offer enriching experiences. Forget functional apps. Then execute on a product offering an experience rather than an app.

For others, consider two paths:

1. Embrace AI to streamline your life. Focus on human pursuits and passions.

2. Adapt to the evolving job market by acquiring diverse skills. AI will automate any repetitive task away. Versatility and adaptability will be key to thriving in a dynamic, AI-integrated future.

The world is only going to get weirder from here. I’m excited to be on this ride together with everyone.