The rise of artificial intelligence sparks apocalyptic theories among religious leaders

In the United States, many religious figures are expressing growing fears regarding technological advancements. According to BBC Afrique, influential pastors such as Philip Anthony Mitchell or Greg Laurie are publicly discussing the possibility that artificial intelligence (AI) could play a central role in end-times narratives and the advent of the Antichrist.

These spiritual leaders claim that AI could be used to deceive the faithful and turn them away from their faith, with some comparing it to the symbolic figures found in the biblical book of Revelation. These statements are finding significant resonance on social media, particularly TikTok, as well as in various podcasts and Christian publications.

Experts in theology and ethics, such as Professor Noreen Herzfeld, explain this interpretive framework as a result of collective anxiety. The uncertainties linked to the transformation of the labor market and the feeling of losing control to tech giants are pushing some believers to seek a divine explanation for these social and economic shifts.

According to analyses by Professor Jeffrey C. Pugh cited by the BBC, projecting the anxieties of the era onto prophetic texts is a recurring phenomenon. A Pew Research Center survey published in 2022 already revealed that nearly 40% of American adults believed they were living in the end times.

Our perspective

Faced with global technological upheavals, Africa must preserve its autonomy of thought by prioritizing rational and ethical responses. The sovereign development of our own digital tools and education regarding new technologies constitute the best guarantees to protect African citizens against irrational fears and dependence on external narratives.