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Scholar argues AI chatbots now function like charismatic religious authorities

A religion scholar's essay contends AI's instant, personalized responses create a 'charismatic authority' resembling that of religious leaders, even without churches or creeds.

newest coverage 1d agosummary written 2d ago6 pieces26 likes & upvotes2 comments NewswiresMastodonHacker NewsReddit

What to know

  • Pew Research Center data cited: about 1 in 10 US adults, and 1 in 5 under 30, use AI chatbots for emotional support or advice.
  • The essay does not claim AI is a religion but applies Max Weber's concept of 'charismatic authority' to how users experience AI's instant, personalized responses.
  • The piece was published by The Conversation and republished by Phys.org, then circulated on Mastodon and Hacker News with little direct audience discussion recorded in the evidence.

“AI has no recognized system of beliefs or shared practices.”

Morgan Shipley, Scholar of religion, Michigan State University · The Conversation US ↗ · Sep 20

Morgan Shipley Author, Foglio Endowed Chair of Spirituality, Michigan State UniversityMax Weber Sociologist (referenced)J. Gordon Melton Scholar of new religious movements (referenced)

Scholar argues AI chatbots now function like charismatic religious authorities
theconversation.com

How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 1 piece in one hour at Sep 21, 7 AM; 6 pieces over 3 days (2 articles · 4 posts) Sep 21, 7 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 9 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 1 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 22, 12 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Hacker News 1Sep 22, 1 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Reddit 1Sep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quiet 1234
Sep 22yesterdaynow · 4:44 AM ET
  1. 4

    Essay surfaces on Hacker News

    The piece is submitted to Hacker News under the title 'Why AI resembles a charismatic religious leader,' drawing modest engagement with no comments recorded.

  2. 3

    The Conversation US promotes the piece on Mastodon

    The outlet's Mastodon account summarizes the essay's central question and framing for social audiences.

    “Could artificial intelligence represent the beginnings of a new kind of religious movement? A scholar of religion explains how AI can function as a charismatic figure without standing on a stage, establishing a church or gathering disciples…”
    — @TheConversationUS
    • TheConversationUS@newsie.social

      Could artificial intelligence represent the beginnings of a new kind of religious movement? A scholar of religion explains how # AI can function as a charismatic figure without standing on a stage, establishing a church or gathering disciples: https:// theconversation.com/why-ai-res embles-a-charismatic-religious-leader-291831

      TheConversationUS@newsie.socialMastodon2d ago6▲view on Mastodon ↗
  3. 2

    Phys.org republishes the essay

    Phys.org carries the same essay under the same headline, extending its reach beyond The Conversation's original audience.

  4. 1

    Shipley publishes essay comparing AI to a charismatic religious leader

    Morgan Shipley, a scholar of religion at Michigan State University, argues in The Conversation that AI chatbots increasingly answer existential questions once directed to therapists and religious advisers, and that users can enter a relationship with AI resembling Max Weber's 'charismatic authority,' even though AI lacks a creed, congregation or membership.

    1. 2 outlets Why AI resembles a charismatic religious leader

      first by Phys.org, 2d ago · also The Conversation US