Is it a sin to represent God through artificial intelligence? See what religious representatives say

Consider a picture showing a serene Jesus Christ with his arms outstretched. Var was an engagement success on Facebook, receiving likes as well as “Amen!” He also collects his comments. from people of various nationalities.

But this strange drawing depicts Jesus with the body of a shrimp, with several small legs in addition to his two arms. It is at the bottom of the sea, surrounded by fish and crustaceans. And, as you might guess, it’s generated by artificial intelligence (AI).

Representations of deities using AI in various contexts are becoming common whenever any content is created by productive services. these pictures They tend to be popular on social networks due to both the religious factor and alienation.but another issue can be discussed.

After all, are these entertainments considered disrespectful or a sin? HE TecMundo We talked to members of some religions to understand their positions on this phenomenon.

Are AI religious figures disrespecting religions?

The view that these artificial illustrations containing symbols or entities belonging to a belief are problematic depends on the principles of religion. In some cases this can be viewed optimistically, despite the caveats.

Artificial intelligences for André Siqueira, Social Communication coordinator of the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB) “semantic machines” with possible positive contribution and capacity “Improve the knowledge of humanity”.

“Representatives, As long as they maintain dignity and fidelity to the work of Allan Kardec“It will be part of the artistic-cultural community of humanity,” he explains.

Caroline Ferreira, president of the National Association of Afro-Brazilian Religions, has a similar perspective. According to his belief, AI “does not create an absolute truth” and we can help spread the religious culture of Umbanda and Candomblé without being disrespectful.

Moreover, since the representation of these religions was hidden and even banned for a long time, these elements them It is even neglected in the nutrition of language models.

In the case of Catholicism, the representation of images and symbols is a historical issue that has emerged in artistic movements over the centuries. As Father Arnaldo Rodrigues, communications advisor to the Brazilian National Conference of Bishops (CNBB), explains, intention is the most important.

“If the representation is for cooperation, it’s worth it, there’s no problem (…) as long as it does not affect or harm people’s faith” he explains. In this way, AI images could even help spread faith. “through joy and humor”.

What would some selfies taken from some Bible passages look like? © Lucas Gabriel

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For Muslims, the outcome consists of the fundamentals of religion. For this reasonReligious people think depictions of Allah and prophet Muhammad are disrespectful.

“When man tries to interpret or represent God outside of the descriptions contained in the scriptures, he will produce many false images, even resorting to artificial intelligence. In Islam, Muslims have to imagine and represent God and the prophet Muhammad They do not use this image. Sheikh Ali Momade of the Brazilian Federation of Muslim Associations (Fambras) says that any image associated with Islam, God, the prophet and its sacred symbols is rejected and disrespectful.

Sacred texts and generative AI

Although many religions accept images of beings made by artificial intelligence, the debate goes in a different direction when it comes to the possibility of rewriting sacred texts using generative artificial intelligence.

Sheikh Ali Momade underlines artificial intelligence “No smarter than the man who created it“. Therefore, even rewriting is not very welcome in Islam.

“Artificial intelligence is capable of generating any text, but it will never rewrite the Quran because it is a human creation, dependent on the creator’s algorithms. And if the creator himself could not write something similar to the Quran and will continue to write it. Momade, as a creature, is artificial What will happen to intelligence?” he asks.

African-derived beliefs reach a similar conclusion. “Our religion is not based on scripture, but on the contact between soul and body; it is extremely necessary that this connection exists,” says Caroline.

For Catholicism, the path is more limited than for pictures. In the words of the CNBB consultant, AI “needs human intelligence to fuel itself.” Therefore, if “artistic representations based on the words of sacred texts” are more accepted in Catholicism, rewriting or reinvention of what has been formalized as sacred by the Church is not taken into account except in new translations carefully made by experts. .

FEB’s Siqueira warns that a thorough review of each of these contents is necessary, even if they are produced for summaries and comparisons only.

Artificial intelligence is my religion and I will not lack anything

Yuval Harari, author of the best-selling book SapiensHe suggested at a conference: Artificial intelligence could lead to the emergence of sects and religions. This will happen through artificially created texts, with or without the participation of people as leaders.

Since it is not possible for the established relationship to match the manifestations of beliefs, this possibility is rejected or minimized by representatives of religions.

For example, Caroline argues that technology will follow “Human advances can achieve, but spiritual advances can never achieve.”. Siqueira also does not believe in the scenario, but warns that it would be a reversal of the traditional sacred relationship: “the creature (IA) becomes worshiped by the creator (man)”.

According to Father Arnaldo, this hypothesis represents a risk because “we have already placed desires and desires on top of technology”, even though it does not have the capacity to provide the goals of a religion. “NI don’t believe AI can be a religion, but it can condition behavior“, warning.

The priest emphasized that the Catholic Church is interested in the issue and that it should reflect on what is seen as a challenge. Pope Francis himself, who is already the subject of a montage, frequently touches on this issue in his speeches and said “human dignity is at stake” in algorithmic processes at the last G7 meeting.

“We must provide and preserve room for significant human control over the process of selecting AI programs: human dignity is at stake”, the pope said during a meeting with political leaders.

In Islam, which is based on the principle of freedom of religion, there is even “the possibility of modernization and digitalization of religious entities”, as the emergence of new practices is seen as a continuation of a long-observed phenomenon. time.

Still, discussions involving risks and limits are necessary; This underscores a debate that is becoming increasingly relevant to the technology field: the need for industry regulation.

“What is worrying is that technology in general is used to harass groups, to tarnish the image of a particular religion, institution, family or individual,” Momade concludes.