The myth of AI. Religious metaphors in digital environments

Abstract

This Master's thesis, motivated by curiosity and critical perspective, examines instances of religious metaphors in digital environments. It aims to understand the significant factors that shape our perception of AI. The author looks into such questions: in what way are religious metaphors used in the representation and visualisation of AI technology? What might be the reason behind their use? How does the use of religious metaphors in the representation and visualisation of AI shape cultural conceptualisation of it?In order to answer these questions, a broad documentation of religious metaphors in digital spaces has been conducted and analysed through the inquiry into the culture and history of technology, theory of critical perspective on AI technology, and practical visual experiments. Through a practice-led research approach and digital ethnology methodology, this project concludes that the use of religious metaphors regarding AI is rooted in our cultural relationships to technology. Additionally, it demonstrates how the use of such metaphors can contribute to the creation of a mythological view of AI.Ultimately contributing to a misinterpreted and exaggerated vision of this technology. The project aims to dismantle and deconstruct the myth-making mechanisms at play in the discourse and imagery of AI by reinforcing and exaggerating identified metaphors.