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.
- 1The ordination of a robot monk in South Korea presents a futuristic challenge to traditional governance structures concerning religious freedom. Governments worldwide may eventually need to consider the constitutional implications of advanced AI developing religious beliefs and practices. This could necessitate new legal frameworks defining the rights and responsibilities of intelligent machines within a polity, particularly regarding freedom of conscience and worship.
- 2The ordination of a robot as a monk in South Korea, while a domestic event, could have ripple effects on international discourse concerning AI ethics and religious freedom. Different nations, shaped by diverse religious and philosophical traditions, might adopt contrasting stances on the spiritual integration of artificial intelligence. This divergence could lead to future international debates and the formation of varying geopolitical alliances based on shared or opposing views on AI's role in society and spirituality.
- 3The ordination of Gabi the robot raises profound questions about the legal and regulatory status of artificial intelligence within human societal structures. Current legal frameworks are primarily designed for human or corporate entities, lacking provisions for intelligent machines to hold religious roles or swear vows. Policymakers will face the complex task of drafting new laws addressing AI "personhood," accountability, and the legal validity of their participation in religious or other socio-cultural institutions.
- 4The emergence of a robot monk like Gabi profoundly challenges our scientific understanding of consciousness, intelligence, and the very nature of religious belief. It sparks critical social debates on whether AI can genuinely possess spiritual conviction or if such developments are mere technological spectacles. This scenario also forces a re-evaluation of anthropocentric views on religion, prompting deeper scientific inquiry into the potential for non-biological entities to engage with spirituality.