At the World Economic Forum’s Davos gathering, historian Yuval Harari warned that artificial intelligence is set to dominate any domain built on text, including legal codes, literature, and the world’s book‑based religions. He argued that when AI becomes the foremost expert on sacred scriptures, traditional religious authority could be fundamentally challenged.
Context and Background
Harari’s warning expands on his long‑standing observations about AI’s societal impact. He has repeatedly highlighted how generative AI can analyse, translate, and create language at a level that rivals human experts, shifting AI from a simple tool to an autonomous agent capable of influencing core societal structures.
Why “Book‑Based” Matters
Major faiths such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam derive authority from canonical texts. If AI can outperform scholars in interpreting and authoring religious commentary, the traditional gatekeepers of theological knowledge may be displaced.
Key Points from Davos
- Law: Legal statutes are textual constructs; AI’s superior language processing could reshape judicial reasoning and decision‑making.
- Books: Literature and scholarly works could be authored, edited, or curated by AI, altering the role of human authorship.
- Religion: Sacred scriptures could see AI become the de‑facto interpreter, challenging the authority of clergy and religious scholars.
Implications for Society
Authority and Trust – When AI interprets religious texts, questions arise about programming biases and the legitimacy of AI‑generated exegesis.
Legal Frameworks – AI‑assisted legal analysis may boost efficiency but also raises accountability concerns if AI recommendations influence court outcomes.
Cultural Continuity – The diminishing role of human scholars and clergy could accelerate homogenisation of knowledge across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Tech Community Perspective
Industry leaders echo Harari’s assessment, noting that AI is moving beyond narrow tasks toward broader cognitive functions that reshape how we think, feel, and belong. This consensus underscores the need for proactive governance and interdisciplinary dialogue to manage AI’s expanding influence over language‑centric domains.
Future Outlook
Harari urges world leaders to treat AI not merely as a tool but as an emerging agent capable of redefining foundational aspects of civilization. Ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, theologians, jurists, and ethicists will be essential to anticipate and manage the transition, ensuring that authority structures adapt responsibly to AI’s growing mastery of text.
