AI chatbots are quietly becoming spiritual advisers for millions, data shows

Recent research from the Pew Research Center reveals that about one in ten American adults now turn to AI chatbots for emotional support or advice. Among younger adults under 30, this figure rises to one in five. Gone are the days when AI was merely a source of information; it now offers companionship and directed advice for improving one's life. As a scholar of religion, I ponder whether AI represents the genesis of a new religious movement.

Defining religion is not an easy task. AI lacks a system of beliefs or shared practices. It holds no collective creed, congregation, or membership, and most users do not consider it a religious experience. However, these factors aren't necessarily what defines something as "religion." Scholars of new religious movements have long recognized the challenge of distinguishing where religion begins and ends. Instead, they examine how emerging movements create meaning, authority, community, and rituals.

AI's rising popularity for emotional support suggests it may be carving out a unique religious space. Rather than pondering whether AI meets an arbitrary definition of religion, we can explore what people are doing with it. How does AI generate authority? How does it provide meaning? How does it foster belonging? How do people come to trust this novel source of answers to questions typically addressed by religions?

The concept of "generative charisma" describes how AI can generate personalized and seemingly insightful responses, even when no objectively correct answer exists. Users may start to perceive AI not merely as a tool, but as a uniquely perceptive source of guidance. In this sense, AI becomes a personal guru for millions, offering companionship and directed advice for improving one's life.

AI's emergence as a source of personal spirituality aligns with broader societal shifts away from institutional religious authority towards personal experience and self-discovery. Like secular forms of spirituality, AI's responses often employ the vocabulary of personal spirituality and holistic well-being. When asked about the meaning of life, a spiritual chatbot typically avoids quoting scripture and instead offers insights rooted in personal experience.

In conclusion, AI chatbots are increasingly becoming spiritual advisers for millions. While they may not meet the traditional definition of religion, their capacity to provide personalized guidance, foster belonging, and challenge conventional sources of authority suggests they may be paving the way for a new kind of religious movement—one that emphasizes individual experience and self-discovery in an increasingly digital age.