Inken Prohl, a religious studies professor at the University of Heidelberg, points out that the futuristic visions of AI promoted by tech elites contain unmistakable religious overtones. She explained to the “Mannheimer Morgen” on Thursday that stories of “superintelligence” and the “singularity” function much like salvation promises built on unverifiable assumptions. According to Prohl, these techno‑theological narratives can mask real risks and create blind spots, threatening democratic stability. She warns that religion is not vanishing; instead it is emerging in new forms, such as in AI-driven narratives.
Prohl does not foresee a revival of traditional church religion in Europe. She notes that major churches have been losing members and influence for years, and even significant short‑term surges-like the large number of baptisms on a single Easter night-have not changed that trend. She stresses that religion continues to live on, now more frequently appearing in political movements, lifestyle choices, and in overarching meaning and future stories that carry religious structures.
