January 24, 2025

The Religion of Technology:

Understanding AI narratives through the lens of religion

This document provides a summary of key ideas and insights from my research. It is not a comprehensive representation of the full study and may omit detailed analyses, methodologies, and supporting evidence for the sake of brevity. The findings and interpretations presented here have not undergone formal peer review and should be considered preliminary.
Readers are encouraged to approach the content with this context in mind and to seek further clarification or discussion if needed. For inquiries about the complete research or for collaboration opportunities, reach out to me directly.

The Religion of Technology: Unpacking AI Narratives Through Faith

The modern fixation on technology often appears to be an extension of the Enlightenment era’s pursuit of utility, power, and profit. Yet, as I explore in this essay, the roots of this technological ambition run deeper—intertwining with spiritual traditions and a centuries-old quest for transcendence and salvation. Technology, far from being a purely secular endeavor, is profoundly influenced by religious narratives, particularly those of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Technology and Transcendence

Historically, Christianity positioned spiritual transcendence as a divine grace, far removed from human tools or technologies. In the early days, figures like Augustine viewed technology as separate, even antithetical, to spiritual redemption. True transcendence, they believed, came through God’s universal knowledge—a grace beyond human understanding.

However, as time progressed, this separation began to erode. Religious language about "transcendence" and "universal knowledge" started appearing in technological contexts. Today, these terms resurface in AI narratives, often recast in a secular light. When tech leaders discuss “expanding consciousness” or “understanding the universe,” are they not echoing age-old aspirations for divine transcendence?

The Christianization of Technology

The shift began during the Carolingian age, as described by White (1972). Technology came to be seen as an aspect of Christian virtue. The Utrecht Psalter—a manuscript from the 9th century—depicts technological innovation as God’s will. In this illustration, the righteous sharpen swords with a crank-driven grindstone, symbolizing divine favor, while the ungodly rely on outdated tools.

This attitude persisted, fueling innovation during the medieval period. Humans, seen as distinct from and superior to nature, embraced technology as a means to master the natural world. By redefining “useful arts” with spiritual significance, religious leaders elevated technical pursuits as divinely inspired acts. Technology, in this view, became a pathway to restore humanity’s lost perfection—a collaboration with God to reclaim mankind’s divinity.

A Cross-Cultural Dialogue

While the roots of Western technological ambition are deeply intertwined with Christianity, this narrative does not exist in isolation. Modern science and technology have benefited from the contributions of Greek, Roman, Muslim, Jewish, and Chinese traditions. Practical knowledge spread across cultures, building on ancient philosophies and texts.

As Noble (1999) argues, the dialogue of civilizations played a crucial role in shaping the modern scientific worldview. While Christianity undoubtedly influenced Western science, it was part of a broader lineage of global knowledge exchange.

The Legacy in AI Narratives

Today’s AI narratives echo this religious legacy, even if subconsciously. The language of transcendence, universal knowledge, and salvation remains central, reframed through the lens of technological ambition. For instance, Altman (2024a) invokes quasi-religious imagery by suggesting that "scaling laws are decided by god," while others speak of AI as a vehicle to solve humanity’s greatest challenges.

This persistent intertwining of faith and technology reminds us that the modern quest to expand AI’s limits is not merely technical or economic—it is deeply human, rooted in centuries of longing for transcendence, mastery, and redemption.

Conclusion

The religion of technology reflects humanity’s enduring aspiration to go beyond itself, to transcend limits, and to restore a lost sense of perfection. While the Christian tradition has profoundly influenced Western attitudes toward technology, these narratives are enriched by a global exchange of ideas. Understanding AI narratives through this lens reveals a deeper truth: our fascination with technology is not just about machines but about our oldest spiritual desires, reshaped for the modern age.

Detailed citations from the original essay are included to emphasise the academic grounding of my arguments and call for further exploration of ethical AI design.