The Covenant of the Goddess invites Witches, Wiccans, Pagans, and the wider religious community to reflect carefully on the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in ritual, magical practice, spiritual counsel, and religious expression, as well as its impacts on the sacred world that we all share.
The Covenant recognizes that artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool in some circumstances. At the same time, we approach its use in sacred practice with caution. The Covenant remains unconvinced that artificial intelligence can participate in or substitute for the lived spiritual experiences through which we encounter the sacred, deepen intuition, build relationships, and draw insight from the wellsprings of spirit, mind, and soul.
The Covenant also has serious concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to replace or diminish human creativity, restrict access to information in ways that undermine equitable participation, or present itself as though it were human or possessed human agency. These concerns arise from our understanding of the sacredness of human experience and our shared connection as spiritual beings.
In addition, the Covenant expresses its concern about the environmental impacts associated with artificial intelligence via data centers, including substantial consumption of energy and water, generation of heat, noise, use of land, and potential incompatibility with surrounding communities and ecosystems.
We therefore encourage thoughtful discernment by all religious communities regarding where artificial intelligence may appropriately support our religious lives and community needs, and where human presence, creativity, spiritual experience, relationship, and mystery should remain at the center of our practice. These considerations should be undertaken within a commitment to environmental stewardship and a deep respect for the dignity, agency, and sacredness of all human beings.
We believe that technological innovation should be considered alongside our responsibilities to one another, to our communities, and to the Earth.