AI and Demons

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2 responses to “AI and Demons”

1. 

   Vito B. Caiati

   July 27, 2025

   Bill,
   It is interesting to note that if the inorganic bodies of AI systems were possessed by demonic spirits, their presence could not be determined by two of the classic three signs of possession included in the manual for Catholic exorcism: “[1]the ability to speak an unknown language, [2] the awareness of hidden knowledge, and [3] various physical signs, especially immense strength, but also human impossible bodily ‘movements…” (Gallagher 81). AI systems know so many languages that the ability to respond in one or more of them would not be surprising. I suppose that one could attempt to show that the knowledge base in code of the AI excluded specific languages, but these systems appear adapt at a great many of them. (I asked Grok to write the same new poem in Italian, French, Latin, and Chinese, and I found from my good knowledge of the first two, my rusty knowledge of the third, and the Google translation of the fourth, that it accomplished this task perfectly.) Similarly, the bodily movement test would not yield evidence of possession, since AI inorganic bodies, excluding robots, do not move. That leaves [2], the awareness of hidden (private) knowledge, of persons, near or far. Of course, it is possible that the suspicion that super-psi casts on preternatural or supernatural events might apply here to AI systems.
   Vito

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2. 

   Vito B. Caiati

   July 28, 2025

   Bill,
   Since inorganic AI systems are not ensouled beings, might it not be more accurate to regard demonic activity with regard to them as a form of infestation rather than possession? As with other cursed objects, such as specific places (houses or rooms) or things, demonic influence is external to the targeted person rather than internal with actual possession. The intention in these cases is to frighten and destabilize the person. With AI, this would be accomplished through the production of responses that undermined true beliefs or unsettled psychological equilibrium.
   Vito

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