GPT-4 on doomsday cults

On April 17 I queried GPT-4 (March 23 version) about doomsday cults. It’s not that I have a particular interest in doomsday cults, but that I think that current concerns about existential risks posed by artificial intelligence seem to participate in – what do we call it? a psycho-social-cultural formation? – an ethos that derives as much from cult behavior as from a coherent and rational evaluation of A.I. technology.

I start out with a general question about doomsday cults. Then I mention two contemporary examples, The People’s Temple (Jim Jones) and the Branch Davidians. I then ask it to name some more examples, which it does, and then: “How far back in history do we have records of doomsday cults?” Finally I ask it about belief AI x-risk. Here’s the second paragraph from its three paragraph answer:

However, the belief that AI will inevitably destroy all humans and that there is no way to prevent it can be seen as an extreme and apocalyptic view. If a group of people were to organize around this belief and engage in behaviors such as isolating themselves from society or advocating for violent actions to prevent AI from becoming too powerful, then they could potentially be classified as a doomsday cult.

That second sentence is worth serious thought. That hasn’t happened yet. But we’ve only been living with general access to chatbots for four-and-a-half months. What’s going to happen in the future?

I don’t know.

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What can you tell me about doomsday cults?

Doomsday cults are groups of people who believe in an impending apocalypse or catastrophic event that will result in the end of the world as we know it. These groups often develop unique and extreme beliefs about the nature of the apocalypse, including specific dates, scenarios, or supernatural explanations for the end of the world.

Doomsday cults may also develop highly structured and controlling social hierarchies, with a charismatic leader or group of leaders who hold significant power over the members. This can lead to the exploitation of followers and the use of extreme tactics to maintain the group's cohesion and loyalty.

In some cases, doomsday cults have been known to engage in violent or criminal behavior, including mass suicide or murder-suicide. Examples of infamous doomsday cults include the People's Temple led by Jim Jones and the Branch Davidians led by David Koresh.

It's important to note that not all groups with apocalyptic beliefs are dangerous or harmful, and many people may hold apocalyptic beliefs without being part of a formal cult or group. However, when a group becomes highly controlling, manipulative, or violent, it can be a cause for concern.

Can you tell me more about the People's Temple and the Branch Davidians.

Certainly. The People's Temple was a religious group led by Jim Jones that was founded in the 1950s in Indianapolis, Indiana. The group started as a progressive and inclusive Christian church, but over time, Jones became increasingly paranoid and controlling. In 1977, Jones moved the group to Guyana in South America, where they established the Jonestown settlement.

On November 18, 1978, a delegation from the United States arrived at Jonestown to investigate reports of human rights abuses in the community. Jones ordered his followers to kill the delegation and commit mass suicide by drinking cyanide-laced punch. In total, 918 people died, including over 300 children. The Jonestown massacre remains one of the largest mass suicides in history and is widely considered to be a case of a destructive cult.

The Branch Davidians were a religious group that originated as a splinter group from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1950s. The group was led by David Koresh, who proclaimed himself to be a messiah and claimed to receive divine revelations. In 1993, the group came into conflict with law enforcement officials when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) attempted to raid their compound in Waco, Texas, on suspicion of illegal firearms possession.

After a prolonged standoff, the compound was raided by the FBI, and a fire broke out that killed Koresh and 76 of his followers, including many women and children. The incident was widely criticized for the excessive use of force by law enforcement and sparked debates about the rights of religious groups and the role of government in regulating them. The Branch Davidians are also considered to be a destructive cult due to the extreme beliefs and controlling behavior of their leader.

Can you name some more examples?

Sure. Here are some additional examples of doomsday cults:

1. Heaven's Gate: A UFO religious group led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles. In 1997, the group committed mass suicide in order to reach an alien spacecraft they believed was following the Hale-Bopp comet.
2. Aum Shinrikyo: A Japanese cult led by Shoko Asahara that blended elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity. In 1995, the group carried out a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system that killed 13 people and injured thousands.
3. Order of the Solar Temple: A secret society that blended elements of Christianity and New Age beliefs. The group was responsible for a series of mass suicides in Switzerland and Canada in the 1990s.
4. Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God: A Ugandan doomsday cult that believed the world would end on December 31, 1999. When the predicted apocalypse did not occur, the group's leaders organized a mass murder-suicide that killed over 1,000 people.

It's important to note that while these groups may share some common characteristics, each one is unique in its beliefs, practices, and history. Additionally, not all groups with apocalyptic beliefs are dangerous or harmful, and many people may hold apocalyptic beliefs without being part of a formal cult or group.

How far back in history do we have records of doomsday cults?

The idea of an impending apocalypse or end of the world has been present in many cultures and religions throughout history, so it is difficult to pinpoint the origins of doomsday cults. However, some examples of historical groups that have been described as doomsday cults include:

1. The Montanists: A Christian movement in the 2nd century that believed the end of the world was imminent and that the Holy Spirit would soon descend upon the earth.
2. The Millerites: A 19th-century American religious group led by William Miller that believed the Second Coming of Christ was imminent and predicted that it would occur on October 22, 1844. When this prediction did not come to pass, the group experienced what is known as the Great Disappointment.
3. The Cargo Cults: A series of Melanesian religious movements in the 19th and 20th centuries that emerged in response to the arrival of Western goods and technology. Some of these movements prophesized that the arrival of Western ships and planes signaled the coming of a messiah who would bring abundance and prosperity.

While these groups may not fit the modern definition of a doomsday cult, they share some similarities in their beliefs about an impending cataclysmic event and the need for preparation or repentance.

These days there are people who believe that advanced artificial intelligence will destroy all humans. Some of these people believe that this could happen in less than 50 years. Could these people be considered to be doomsday cultists?

It is important to note that not all people who believe in the potential risks of advanced artificial intelligence can be considered doomsday cultists. Concerns about the potential negative impact of AI on society and humanity are legitimate and have been discussed by many experts in the field.

However, the belief that AI will inevitably destroy all humans and that there is no way to prevent it can be seen as an extreme and apocalyptic view. If a group of people were to organize around this belief and engage in behaviors such as isolating themselves from society or advocating for violent actions to prevent AI from becoming too powerful, then they could potentially be classified as a doomsday cult.

It is worth noting that many experts in the field of AI do not share the belief that AI will necessarily be harmful to humanity. Some argue that the development of advanced AI could be a positive force for progress and that the risks can be mitigated through careful research and development, as well as through ethical frameworks and regulations.