by Nimrod Vardi
Read more about the exhibition here.
The Way of the Future (WOTF), the futuristic church developing an AI god and promoting its acceptance and worship, was founded in 2015 by Anthony Levandowski, an ex-Google engineer. In the same year, OpenAI, the artificial intelligence (AI) research organisation, was founded. In 2020 OpenAI launched their first publicly accessible, ground-breaking large language model, GPT3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), simultaneously WOTF closed its doors*.
*It seems that the WOTF was revived in late 2023.
Zach Blas, CULTUS, 2023. Installation view, arebyte Gallery, London. Image: Max Colson.
WOTF’s mission statement, “Humans united in support of AI, committed to a peaceful transition to the precipice of consciousness”, suggests that the creation of “super intelligence” is inevitable and that we, therefore, must promote an ethical development of such technologies and ensure that these non-human/artificial forms integrate into society in a conscientious way.
Now, I am not suggesting that there is any correlation between the 2 events above, nor that one influenced the other in any way. Hypothetically speaking, one can speculate that the moment OpenAI launched its new ‘tool’, it introduced a fact preceded by Levandowski’s ideas - that AI is no longer confined within the realms of the research labs (or the speculative and imaginative), but is now released into “the wild” - this is the starting point for Blas’ work on CULTUS. What if the closure of the WOTF church was an acknowledgement or a realisation that an AI god exists?
The conversation of ethical AI developments, with its range of utopian and dystopian possibilities surrounding its past, present and future, has become more of a reality as OpenAI and its competitors bring new tools and services to life - from the early days of text conversation, to text-to-image, text to audio services and even code writing at various levels.
At the time of writing this text, we were introduced to new AI tools including text-to-video, realtime translation and conversational aids. It’s also been announced that the next iteration of Chat GPT will reach a PhD student level and other capabilities.
Zach Blas, CULTUS, 2023. Installation view, arebyte Gallery, London. Image: Max Colson.
In mid 2023, we started seeing new forms of AI popping up - such as the Rabbit, an AI handheld device; Humane, a wearable AI Pin, Friend, and other devices appearing at various conferences and on Kickstarter, marking a transition from accessing through a screen based experience into more of an embedded and physical one. These innovations offer a reality where AI is seamlessly integrated into our daily routines, blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds.
As AI is coming out of its case and onto our bodies, CULTUS takes its ‘god-ness’ from its confined virtual-technical and speculative realm into a physical and metaphysical world. In the form of a theological ritualistic practice, CULTUS conjures up / brings to life the prophets of 4 AI gods; Expositio, the AI god of desire and exposure; Iudicium, the AI god of automation and judgement; Lacrimae, the AI god of tears and extraction; and Eternus, the AI god of immortal life. Each of these gods represent an aspect of our society where technology has a significant influence on our daily lives.
Whether ‘prophets’, ‘gods’ or merely a behaviour, each of these sounds rather familiar, no? It might be that the 4 gods echo ancient mythologies, drawing parallels between the deities and the growing reliance on artificial intelligence. This manifestation of AI existing as gods serves as a contemporary allegory, reflecting the profound and multifaceted influence of technology on human existence. Just as ancient and modern gods symbolise natural forces and human emotions, these AI entities personify the domains of desire, judgement, emotion, and immortality.
CULTUS, in this context, becomes a mirror reflecting our collective hopes, fears and aspirations regarding the future of AI. It provokes critical reflection on the ethical dimensions of AI development and integration and the trust and belief we give it. By envisioning AI as deities, CULTUS challenges us to consider the implications of technology with such significant power and influence. It invites us to ponder: what does it mean to worship at the altar of technology?
The emergence of AI-powered devices like Rabbit and Humane’s wearable AI Pin signifies a shift from passive interaction with technology to a continuous engagement. As we carry these devices on our bodies, we are, in a sense, becoming cyborgs—entities augmented by technology, and in this hybrid existence, the boundaries of human capability and identity are being redefined.
Zach Blas, CULTUS, 2023. Installation view, arebyte Gallery, London. Image: Max Colson.
The AI gods of CULTUS aren't just symbols of technology; they represent the merging of human and machine. This synthesis could potentially lead to new forms of consciousness and existence, which in turn prompts profound ethical questions: How do we ensure that AI serves humanity's best interests? What safeguards are necessary to prevent misuse and harm? And more importantly, how do we maintain our humanity in an increasingly automated world?
This narrative underscores the necessity of creating a framework for ethical AI. The portrayal of AI gods forces us to confront the potential consequences of unmonitored and unregulated technological advancements. It reminds us that with great power comes great responsibility and as we continue to develop and deploy AI, we must do so with a deep awareness of the social, ethical and existential implications. It is crucial that we ask ourselves: How do we want to shape the future of AI? What kind of relationship do we want to build with these emerging technologies? And how can we ensure that the “AI gods” we create, who and whatever they might be, serve as benevolent guides and colleagues, rather than tyrannical rulers?
Zach Blas, CULTUS, 2023. Installation view, arebyte Gallery, London. Image: Max Colson.
Reflecting on The Way of the Future church's closure and AI's advancements in recent years, we find ourselves at a critical point where speculation and imagination of AI has transitioned into reality - a human-made “god” is amongst us; As stated by WOTF’s founder, “It’s not a god in the sense that it makes lightning or causes hurricanes. But if there is something a billion times smarter than the smartest human, what else are you going to call it?”
These developments highlight the huge potential and transformative power of AI, where CULTUS challenges us to contemplate the implications that could follow. We are reminded that our future is shaped not just by technological progress but by our choices, as individuals and collectives. The responsibility lies in ensuring that technological advancements serve humanity's best interests, promoting justice, inclusivity, and respect for human dignity.