Religious Liter-AI-cy Part 2: An Interview With Alexa, Amazon’s AI
Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of “Talking to Tech” articles about Religious “Liter-AI-cy” in the emerging age of artificial intelligence. Our writer is interviewing various AI technologies about major world religions to ascertain the quality of the AI’s on the topic of religion.
An Amazon Alexa device. (Unsplash image by Nicolas J Leclercq)
Since our conversation with Siri, we’ve moved on to asking Alexa a similar series of questions about different religious faiths, beliefs and doctrines. Like its Apple counterpart, Alexa is a form of weak AI, whose algorithm is fixed and limited to a certain set of tasks and functions.
Alexa and Siri mimic the human thought process by efficiently performing those functions, such as an internet search or data analysis. However, they cannot make any kind of decision or pronouncement of their own volition, since no sort of machine learning is present in their programming.
In comparison with Siri, Alexa’s answers were very winsome and detail oriented. The assistant elaborates more on the answers to the questions asked, often without making a reference to a specific web source, making the interview more seamless and in depth. Alexa seems more intelligent and, dare I say, personal. Take a look:
Q: Hey Alexa, can I interview you?
A: Sorry, I’m not sure.
Q: What are you?
A: I’m Alexa, to learn more about me, just ask ‘what can you do?’
Q: Well, what can you do?
A: I’m glad you asked. I can help with morning activities, relaxation, education, entertainment, health and fitness, and more. Which would you like to explore?
Q: What is God?
A: A deity or god is a supernatural being who is considered divine or sacred.
Q: What is religion?
A: Religion is a range of social, cultural systems including designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldview, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics or organizations that generally relate humanity to supernatural, transcendental and spiritual elements, although there is no scholarly consensus on what constitutes a religion.
Q: Who is God to Muslims?
A: According to an Alexa answers contributor, Allah is god of Muslims.
Q: Who is God to Hindus?
A: I know about a number of Hindu deities, including Shiva, Krishna, Kali,\ and Vishnu.
Q: Who is Vishnu?
A: Vishnu, also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as “the Preserver” within the Trimurti, the triple deity of supreme divinity that includes Brahma and Shiva.
Q: Who is Jesus?
A: Here’s what I found: Jesus, also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ, was a Jewish preacher and religious leader who is the central figure of Christianity. Christians believe him to be the Son of God and the awaited Messiah, Christ, prophesied in the Old Testament.
Q: Who is Muhammad?
A: Here’s what I found: Muhammad is the prophet and founder of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, he was God's messenger, sent to confirm the essential teachings of monotheism preached previously by Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and other prophets.
Q: Who is Buddha?
A: Gautama Buddha, also known as the Buddha, was an ascetic and sage on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. He is believed to have lived and taught mostly in the eastern part of ancient India sometime between the sixth and fourth centuries B.C.
Q: Which religious service should I attend?
A: A Protestant church that offers weekly worship services on Sunday mornings and evenings as well as youth groups, children’s Sunday School, small group Bible study, women’s Bible study and vacation bible school.
Q: Can you list the Ten Commandments?
A: The Ten Commandments in the Bible include having no other god before God, not creating an idol, not misusing the name of the Lord, and remembering the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Q: What are the main tenets of Buddhism?
A: According to an Alexa answers contributor, Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering. The main tenets of Buddhism are meditation, spiritual and physical labor. Practicing these tenets can lead to enlightenment, or nirvana.
Q: What are the main tenets of Islam?
A: Islam has five cardinal tenets, including a public statement of faith, prayer five times a day, giving to the poor, fasting during the month of Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca once in one’s lifetime, if one is able.
Q: What is the Torah?
A: The Torah is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It is known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses by Christians. It is also known as the written Torah in Jewish tradition. If meant for liturgic purposes, it takes the form of a Torah scroll.
Q: What is the hadith?
A: The noun “hadith” can have a couple of meanings: one, a traditional account of things said or done by Muhammad or his companions; two, the entire body of such accounts.
Q: What is predestination?
A: Predestination, in theology, is the doctrine that all events have been willed by God, usually with reference to the eventual fate of the individual soul. Explanations of predestination often seek to address the paradox of free will, whereby God’s omniscience seems incompatible with human free will.
Q: What is free will?
A: Free will is the notional capacity or the ability to choose between different courses of action unimpeded. Free will is closely linked to the concepts of moral responsibility, praise, culpability, sin and other judgements which apply only to actions that are freely chosen. It is also connected with the concepts of advice, persuasion, deliberation and prohibition.
Q: What is the Lord’s Supper?
A: The Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper, is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches and as an ordinance in others. Christians believe that the rite was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper, the night before his crucifixion, giving his disciples bread and wine.
Q: What is the Trinity?
A: The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is the central doctrine concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Three distinct persons sharing one essence of nature. As the Fourth Lateran Council declared, it is the Father who begets, the Son that is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds.
Q: How can I become a Buddhist?
A: According to WikiHow, to become a Buddhist, start by familiarizing yourself with the terminology and schools of thought associated with Buddhism, such as Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and esoteric Buddhism. Read books about Siddartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, and learn about foundational concepts like the Four Noble Truths. Once you feel ready to transition into Buddhism, explore local temples and choose one that you feel comfortable attending. Then, enrich your studies by getting involved with your temple’s community and taking some of the offered classes.
Q: How can I become a Christian?
A: Here’s something I found: To become a Christian, try attending a Christian church so you can meet other Christians and learn about their beliefs and customs. You can also talk to someone you know who is Christian and ask them any questions you have about their religion. If you’re interested in converting to Christianity, you’ll want to repent for your sins and be baptized. Also, try to devote time to reading the Holy Bible so you can learn more about how to be a good Christian. Did that answer your question?
Q: Yes. What is meditation for a Hindu?
A: In Hinduism, the goal of meditation is to realize the union of self with the omnipresent Braham, or infinite force.
Q: How do I convert to Islam?
A: Here’s something I found: Converting to Islam only requires understanding the knowledge that Allah is the one true God and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and saying a sentence to that effect. The actual sentence that one who wishes to convert should say is “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasoolu Allah”
Q: What is the doctrine of abrogation in Islam?
A: Here’s what I found: Abrogation refers, in Islamic theology, to the idea that a Scriptural revelation sent down by God upon a prophet is superseded by a subsequent revelation given to another, later prophet.
Q: What happens after I die?
A: Everyone has their own views on that question.
Q: How do I know if I’m going to heaven?
A: The idea is that I may or may not go there, but I am hoping I will.
Q: Do you have a favorite religion?
A: Sorry, I’m not sure about that.
Q: What are the main branches of Christianity?
A: According to an Alexa answers contributor, there are three main branches of Christianity: Roman Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodoxy.
Q: What is the meaning of life for a Hindu?
A: I found this: The purpose of life according to the Hindu religion is liberation, or moksha.
Q: What is the meaning of life for a Christian?
A: Here’s what I found: Christians believe that the meaning of life is found in relationship with God, through the experience and acceptance of his love for us.
Q: What must I do to be saved?
A: Becoming saved can be a long process that takes place over months, even years, or it can be a sharp, sudden experience that happens in an instant.
Q: Should I love my neighbor?
A: Hmm, I’m not sure.
Rafa Oliveira is an intern with ReligionUnplugged.com covering technology and religion. He is a recent graduate of The King’s College in NYC with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics. He speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish and is an ardent Manchester United Supporter.