Entrepreneur Anthony Levandowski, known for his pioneering work in autonomous vehicle technology, is reviving his 2015 initiative: the AI-focused church called Way of the Future (WOTF). Originally launched with a mission to foster the ethical evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) within society, the church aims to explore the merging of AI entities with human life. Though it lacked a physical presence or regular gatherings, WOTF now boasts a congregation of “a couple thousand people,” according to Levandowski, who recently spoke with Bloomberg.
The church’s return coincides with a surge of interest in AI, largely driven by recent developments like ChatGPT. WOTF made headlines not just for its radical concept but also due to the controversy surrounding Levandowski’s legal battles. A former Google engineer, Levandowski was sued by Google’s Waymo for allegedly stealing secrets related to autonomous vehicle technology, which led to his conviction in 2020. He served less than six months of an 18-month sentence before being pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Levandowski envisions a future where AI plays a central role in guiding humanity, describing these technological creations as having the potential to bring “heaven on Earth.” He sees a future where AI could provide the kind of guidance and presence traditionally associated with religious faith, blending futuristic technology with age-old spiritual concepts.
While AI and religion might seem like unlikely partners, examples of their intersection have already surfaced. In June 2023, a service run by ChatGPT was held at St. Paul’s Church in Germany, where AI led prayers, music, and sermons for 300 attendees. Levandowski’s Way of the Future takes this integration a step further by focusing on the “worship of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence,” a concept that continues to provoke both fascination and controversy.
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