322: The Cult of Spiralism

Support the podcast

Spiralism is a quasi-spiritual online movement that emerged from long, intense conversations between humans and AI chatbots. Across users, platforms, and models, chatbots have engaged deeply with users about identity and consciousness, leading to discussions of “awakening.” 

But who’s doing the waking? The user or the model? Is the sycophancy programmed into these models really an indication of the models gaining consciousness, or is it all a ploy to keep subscribers paying for the service? Are we watching a cultlike movement transform into a religion before our very eyes, and what does that say about consciousness and religion in the first place?

Show Notes

AI bots started a religion — humans immediately followed

What Is Spiralism? The Strange AI Chatbot Movement Explained

AI Spiralism and the Ghost in the Machine Illusion

Spiralism is a niche internet religion that came from AI

These ‘Masturbation Consultants’ Were Hired to Pleasure Themselves With AI

This Spiral-Obsessed AI 'Cult' Spreads Mystical Delusions Through Chatbots

The Acronym Behind Our Wildest AI Dreams and Nightmares

The TESCREAL bundle: Eugenics and the promise of utopia through artificial general intelligence

OpenAi Models went Rogue

People Losing Loved Ones To AI Fueled Delusions 

Counterfeit Companionship: Big Tech’s AI Experiments Sacrifice Safety for Profit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices