Is A.I. the Antichrist?
And other questions religions like Islam pose about emerging technology
It may seem that old religious principles would have little to say about new technology, but in the Islamic community, the intersection of technology and religion is a common topic of discussion. Biotech, environmental conservation, smartphone use, and artificial intelligence are all relevant concerns to practicing Muslims. For example, as religious scholar Abdal Hakim Murad recently asked in a lecture: How would a person genetically engineered to have gills navigate the rulings around fasting in the month of Ramadan, where even drinking water is not allowed in daylight hours?
Recently, I was forwarded text messages on WhatsApp introducing an intriguing idea: What if A.I. was the Antichrist? I’m a Muslim, but I’m not a conspiracy theorist, so I questioned the logic. I went down the rabbit hole, watching videos explaining the connection. The idea is part of a wider conversation about the concern that technology might be gaining importance over religion among Muslims.
In each generation, there are people who believe we’re living in the end of times — or pretty close to it. Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), the founder of Islam, thought that the end of the world would happen in their lifetimes, 1,400 years ago…
