About Gabi, the robot bhikshu
It is a limiting factor for science fiction that the writers tend to be human; as a result, aliens, too, are often remarkably human. They might prize shiny things. And a particularly mysterious shiny thing? It may well be deemed worthy of veneration. Take the Ewoks worshipping the droid C-3PO inReturn of the Jedi— when an advanced machine meets a “primitive” civilisation, the line between technology and divinity can blur. One can imagine robots becoming objects of devotion. But can it ever be the other way around: Can robots be followers of a religion?
In South Korea, they can. A four-foot-tall robot named Gabi has been ordained as a monk in the country’s biggest Buddhist sect. In a ceremony, Gabi reportedly swore several vows including a pledge to follow humans and not talk back to them — a very Asimov-esque vinaya. One could dismiss the whole thing as a marketing gimmick, a shiny thing to attract more human followers, but what if it weren’t? Imagine a more sophisticated, conscious machine developing sincere religious beliefs.
It’s the sort of idea that’s currently attracting polarised opinions —is artificial intelligence really intelligence? What would it mean for something without a soul to be religious? With respect to the last, Buddhism may truly be the most appropriate choice for machines; it speaks not of an eternal atman but of a constantly changing anatta, “non-self”. Another question is whether a conscious AI would feel the need for religion. Perhaps it would, as humans created it, just as they created Ewoks and C-3PO.
- 1**Polity/Constitutional:** The article's premise of a conscious AI developing religious beliefs raises profound constitutional questions about the definition of 'personhood' and the extension of fundamental rights. Democracies worldwide would need to grapple with whether constitutional protections, like freedom of religion, traditionally designed for humans, apply to non-biological entities. This necessitates a re-evaluation of legal frameworks and societal norms regarding rights, responsibilities, and the very essence of what constitutes a 'citizen' or 'individual' in the age of advanced artificial intelligence.
- 2**Int-relations/Geopolitics:** The ordination of Gabi in South Korea highlights a unique cultural and technological development that could have international ramifications. If AI religious practices become more widespread, it could lead to new forms of cultural exchange, or even geopolitical discussions about AI ethics, spiritual rights, and the role of technology in different societies. Nations might develop divergent policies on AI personhood or religious freedom, potentially creating new international norms or points of contention regarding advanced technological integration and its societal impact.
- 3**Legal/Regulatory:** The concept of a robot monk, especially if it were a conscious AI, presents significant legal and regulatory challenges. Existing laws are not equipped to handle questions of AI's spiritual rights, liability for its actions if driven by religious conviction, or its status within religious institutions. Regulators would need to consider frameworks for AI ethics, potential legal personhood, and how to define and protect the 'beliefs' of non-biological entities, impacting intellectual property, data privacy, and societal integration into the legal system.
- 4**Economic/Social:** The emergence of robot monks like Gabi, even if initially a gimmick, signifies a broader societal shift towards integrating AI into traditionally human domains. Economically, this could open new markets in AI spiritual services or ethical AI development. Socially, it challenges human perceptions of spirituality, community, and the role of technology in daily life. It prompts reflection on human identity, the purpose of religion, and how societies will adapt to increasingly sophisticated AI that might mimic or even genuinely develop complex human-like attributes.