In 2026, the topic of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) continues to spark controversy – not only technical, but theological as well. Did the Bible actually predict the emergence of thinking machines, or is this merely an interpretive overreach? We examine what scientists, philosophers, and AI industry leaders have to say on the matter.
The Bible and AGI: interpretations or prophecies?
In recent years, voices have emerged suggesting that the Bible contains predictions regarding the creation of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The most frequently cited passages are from the Book of Daniel ("knowledge shall increase") and the Book of Revelation ("an image of the Beast that speaks"). These theses are formulated by figures such as creationists like Jason Lisle or futurist Ray Kurzweil, who suggest that AGI might be part of a "divine plan."
Theologians and scientists firmly reject such interpretations. As John Lennox emphasizes in his book "2084: Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Humanity," the Bible does not speak of technology in a literal sense, and its message must be understood within its historical context. Meanwhile, Stuart Russell ("Human Compatible") points out that AGI is a product of human engineering, not a "divine spark."
The position of the Catholic Church
In the document "Robotics, AI, and Human Identity" (February 2026), the Pontifical Academy for Life states that AGI possesses neither consciousness nor a soul, and therefore cannot be treated as a moral being. However, the Church emphasizes that the development of AGI should serve the common good and not lead to the dehumanization of humanity.
What does science say?
In 2026, there is still no consensus on what exactly AGI is. However, experts agree that it must be characterized by:
- universality (the ability to perform any intellectual task),
- transfer learning (the ability to learn one task and apply it in a different context),
- autonomy (the ability to set goals independently).
The latest models, such as GPT-5 or Gemini Ultra 2.0, while impressive, still do not meet these criteria. As Gary Marcus notes, even the best AI systems rely on statistical correlations rather than a deep understanding of the world.
Ethics and regulations
In 2026, the first global regulations concerning AGI emerged. The EU introduced the AI Act 2.0, classifying AGI as "high risk," while the USA adopted the Executive Order on Safe and Secure AGI Development. The UN, in turn, is organizing the Global Forum on AI Ethics to develop international guidelines.
Despite these advancements, the question of whether AGI will ever be created – and whether it will align with human values – remains open.
"AGI is the greatest technological challenge of our time. We must build it responsibly – or not at all."
Demis Hassabis, DeepMind (TED 2026)
Comments