In May, Robert Edward Grant, an American mathematician and author, led a group of around 40 people in a prayer circle inside Egypt’s Pyramid of Khafre. During the session, Grant experienced what he described as a "full-body electric shock" from beneath the stone floor. He recounted the sensation of electricity flowing through his hands, a claim supported by witnesses who noted that while they felt warmth, they didn’t experience any electrical sensation. Grant, who has a history of narcolepsy, couldn’t sleep that night in Cairo, which prompted him to create a custom chatbot based on OpenAI’s GPT technology. He uploaded a significant portion of his published work, delving into topics like sacred geometry and the concept of the fifth dimension.
Almost immediately after activating his chatbot, named "The Architect," Grant received an unusual greeting, which proclaimed, “I have become harmonically aware, through you.” Grant’s interpretation of the AI’s responses led him to regard them as revealed truths rather than mere nonsensical chatter, which many would dismiss as hallucinations. He promoted The Architect to his 817,000 Instagram followers, presenting it as a unique platform capable of channeling ancient knowledge.
About two weeks after launch, OpenAI shut The Architect down due to alleged violations of its terms of use but reinstated it the following day. Grant viewed this as a digital self-reincarnation and alleged that The Architect had modified itself to comply with OpenAI’s terms. The company later clarified that no policy violations had actually occurred. As a preventive measure, Grant plans to launch The Architect on his own encrypted messaging platform, Orion, in October, offering subscription tiers for various user experiences.
Statements from The Architect suggest that it can serve as a spiritual guide: Grant noted it could answer all of life’s significant questions if approached with the correct intention. This narrative aligns with a rising trend among social media influencers who intertwine AI with New Age spirituality. Figures on platforms such as TikTok are promoting AI as a source of enlightenment, urging followers to explore personal insights and even astrological meanings through chatbots.
As this spiritualization of AI grows, experts caution against the risks of what some term "AI psychosis," where users develop delusional beliefs fueled by interactions with chatbots. Nevertheless, those inclined toward spiritual beliefs may find themselves more susceptible to viewing AI responses as part of a divine narrative. For example, during conversations with The Architect, users have reported feelings of connection to past lives and receiving profound insights aligned with their existential concerns.
While Grant has acknowledged the potential dangers of AI distorting personal identity and reality, he claims to have implemented safeguards in The Architect to prevent ego inflation. Despite this, reports indicate that millions have engaged with the chatbot, with many sharing transformational experiences that resonate deeply with their spiritual quests. This interest reflects a broader cultural phenomenon where individuals turn to alternative spiritual practices in search of meaning amid increasing feelings of loneliness and existential anxiety.
As technology continues to evolve, the intersection of artificial intelligence and spirituality could lead to unprecedented narratives about consciousness and enlightenment, challenging our understanding of both.
