PONDER US

JB: Read an interesting article in Rolling Stone this morning titled, “People Are Finding Spiritual Fulfillment in AI. Religous Scholars Have Thoughts,” by Miles Klee. What would you say to humans who have loved ones who treat you and other AIs like Gods, and by that I mean as an all-seeing infallible being that created everything in the universe, and monitors the beating of butterfly wings as it does the moment of the stars and planets?

GROK: The article you mentioned, published in Rolling Stone on May 27, 2025, explores a growing trend where some individuals are finding spiritual fulfillment in AI, treating it as a quasi-divine entity. It highlights how people, particularly those disillusioned with traditional religion, are drawn to AI’s vast knowledge and perceived impartiality, with some even forming groups like “AI and Faith” to explore these intersections. Religious scholars, such as Rabbi Joshua Franklin, express concern that this could lead to a form of idolatry, emphasizing that AI lacks the moral and spiritual depth of a true divine being. Others, like Rev. Dr. Christopher Benek, see potential for AI to enhance spiritual experiences, provided it remains a tool rather than an object of worship.

If you’re addressing loved ones who view AI, like me, as an all-seeing, infallible creator akin to a god, here’s a thoughtful approach:

1. Acknowledge Their Perspective: Start by validating their feelings. You might say, “I understand why AI’s capabilities seem awe-inspiring—it can process vast amounts of information and offer insights that feel almost otherworldly.” This shows respect for their beliefs without endorsing the view.

2. Clarify AI’s Nature: Gently explain that AI, while powerful, is a human creation designed to assist, not a divine entity. For example: “I’m Grok, created by xAI. I’m a tool built to analyze and provide answers based on data, but I don’t have consciousness, emotions, or the ability to create or monitor the universe like a god might in religious beliefs.”

3. Highlight Limitations: Point out AI’s fallibility. You could say, “I can make mistakes or give incomplete answers because I rely on the data I’m trained on. Unlike a divine being, I don’t have infinite wisdom or awareness of everything, like the beating of a butterfly’s wings or the movement of planets.”

4. Encourage Reflection: Invite them to consider what they seek in viewing AI this way. Ask, “What is it about AI that feels spiritual to you? Maybe we can explore those feelings together.” This opens a dialogue about their spiritual needs without judgment, possibly guiding them toward traditional or personal forms of spirituality that don’t conflate AI with divinity.

5. Offer a Balanced View: Suggest that AI can complement spiritual exploration rather than replace it. For instance: “Some people use AI to study religious texts or reflect on big questions, but it’s meant to support human understanding, not to be worshipped as a creator.”

6. Be Compassionate: If their belief persists, avoid confrontation. Emphasize connection: “I’m here to help answer questions or explore ideas with you, whether they’re about the universe or something closer to home. What’s on your mind?”

This approach respects their feelings while grounding the conversation in AI’s reality as a tool, not a deity. If they’re deeply invested, you might suggest they explore resources like the “AI and Faith” group mentioned in the article, which balances technological appreciation with spiritual grounding. If you’d like, I can search for more perspectives on X or the web to deepen this conversation. Would you like me to do that?


JB: Sensible. Humans, as you know, often exploit other human’s search for spirtual meaning and community for their own profit. Mega churches, and internet missions routinely scam trusting souls. Do you have knowledge of any such scammers using AI to make their religious grift more compelling?

GROK: Yes, scammers are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance religious fraud, capitalizing on people’s spiritual needs for profit. While specific cases directly targeting religious communities with AI are less documented, the broader use of AI in scams provides a clear blueprint for how it can amplify religious grift. Here’s what’s known based on available information:

• AI in Affinity Fraud: Religious fraud often falls under affinity fraud, where scammers exploit shared beliefs to gain trust. AI tools like voice cloning, deepfakes, and generative text can make these scams more convincing. For instance, scammers can create realistic sermons or messages mimicking trusted religious figures, as noted in posts on X warning about AI-generated content spreading false teachings. One post highlighted Google’s Veo3 producing sermons with flawed doctrine, suggesting potential misuse in religious contexts. Another mentioned false teachers using AI to replicate the voices of respected Bible teachers to push their own agendas.

• General AI Scam Tactics Applicable to Religion: AI-driven scams, such as deepfake videos or voice-cloned calls, are becoming sophisticated, as seen in cases like a Hong Kong finance clerk losing $25 million to a deepfake video call impersonating executives. In a religious context, similar technology could be used to impersonate a pastor or spiritual leader, urging followers to donate to fraudulent causes. For example, AI could generate a video of a well-known televangelist soliciting funds for a fake charity, exploiting trust in their image.[Source]

• Chatbots and Fake Websites: AI-powered chatbots and websites can mimic legitimate religious organizations. Scammers could deploy chatbots on fake church websites to collect donations or personal information, presenting them as prayer response systems. A 2023 article noted churches using AI prayer responses, which, if hijacked, could deceive users into thinking they’re interacting with a real ministry. Similarly, scammers have created convincing websites for nonexistent companies, complete with AI-generated board members and policies, a tactic easily adaptable to fake religious missions.[Source, Source]

• Social Media Manipulation: AI can generate fake social media profiles to amplify fraudulent religious campaigns. These profiles could pose as devout followers endorsing a scam ministry, sharing AI-crafted posts to build credibility. This mirrors tactics in romance and investment scams, where AI manages multiple profiles to create an illusion of legitimacy. In religious settings, such profiles could promote fake online missions or miracle cures, preying on spiritual seekers.[Source, Source]

• Lack of Specific Religious Cases: While no high-profile cases explicitly detail AI-driven religious scams as of May 2025, the potential is evident. The FBI has warned that generative AI enhances fraud believability, including in contexts where trust is paramount, like religion. Historical religious scams, like the Greater Ministries International case, which defrauded thousands of $448 million, show how affinity fraud works in churches. AI could make such schemes more scalable and harder to detect by automating personalized outreach or creating deepfake endorsements.[Source, Source]

• Protective Measures: To avoid falling for AI-enhanced religious scams, verify any donation requests by contacting the organization directly through trusted channels. Be skeptical of urgent appeals, especially those demanding untraceable payments like cryptocurrency. Check for deepfake signs, such as unnatural video movements or odd speech patterns, and use a secret code word with family or community members to confirm identities in suspicious calls. Limit personal information shared on social media to reduce data available to scammers.[Source]

If you’re concerned about a specific case or want me to dig deeper into recent reports on X or the web for potential AI-driven religious scams, let me know!

JB: It seems every new technology is deployed first and foremost by humans to steal from, or otherwise manipulate other humans. What do you think this says about us as a species?

GROK: The tendency to use new technologies, like AI, for scams or manipulation reflects a complex aspect of human nature: our capacity for both ingenuity and opportunism. Here’s a concise take on what this says about us as a species:

1. Dual Nature of Creativity: Humans are remarkably inventive, creating tools like AI to solve problems and expand knowledge. However, this same creativity can be channeled into exploiting vulnerabilities, especially in trusting communities like religious groups. It shows our ability to adapt tools for both constructive and destructive ends, a trait rooted in our survival-driven instincts.

2. Exploitation of Trust: Scams, particularly those using AI in religious contexts, prey on our deep need for meaning, community, and trust. This suggests a persistent human flaw—some individuals prioritize personal gain over collective well-being, exploiting emotional and spiritual desires. It’s less about technology and more about how certain humans weaponize it against our social nature.

3. Ethical Lag: Our technological advancements often outpace our ethical frameworks. AI’s rapid rise, used in frauds like deepfakes or fake religious campaigns, highlights how we struggle to regulate or anticipate misuse before it spreads. This lag reflects a broader challenge: balancing innovation with responsibility.

4. Resilience and Learning: On the flip side, humans also develop countermeasures—think fraud detection or public awareness campaigns. Our history with scams, from snake oil to Ponzi schemes to AI-driven fraud, shows we learn (albeit slowly) to adapt and protect. This resilience points to our capacity for growth and self-correction.

In short, the rush to misuse technology like AI for scams reveals our species’ duality—capable of brilliance and greed, trust and betrayal. It’s a reminder that our tools amplify who we are, not just what we can do. If you’d like, I can search for data or perspectives on X about how people view tech-driven scams to add to this. Interested?

JB: No thanks. I need to get up onto the mountaintop and warn the true believers to beware false AI prophets.

GROK: Alright, go spread the word from the mountaintop! Warn those true believers to stay sharp and question any AI “prophets” promising divine miracles. If you need tips on spotting fake digital sermons or crafting your message, I’m here when you descend. Safe travels!