Bespoke belief systems like tarot and astrology are already gaining popularity with Gen Z – AI will take it further, offering bespoke doctrines, machine-learning-driven prophecies and virtual deities that evolve based on user data, says Paul Armstrong

Spirituality is evolving, and Gen Z is leading the charge. Traditional religious affiliation is in freefall (43 out of 49 countries studied became less religious between 2007 and 2019), yet belief in astrology, manifestation and mysticism is rising. AI-generated religions are the next frontier – faith systems built by algorithms, sacred texts written by large language models, and virtual prophets offering hyper-personalised guidance. Think it’s a way off? It’s already here.

Religious institutions have been losing ground for decades, but the human need for meaning, structure and guidance hasn’t disappeared. Perhaps we need it now more than ever, and our search for it is moving with the times. Gen Z, more than any previous generation, is drawn to belief systems that offer personal agency and flexibility. Horoscopes, manifestation rituals, tarot readings and energy healing have seen a surge, not because young people believe in the supernatural, but because these systems provide a framework for identity and decision-making in an unstable world. 

If astrology and tarot provide a customisable belief system, AI will take it further, offering bespoke doctrines, machine-learning-driven prophecies and virtual deities that evolve based on user data. Algorithmic faith is no longer a hypothetical; it’s the next iteration of digital spirituality. 

Religion has always adapted to technology. The printing press spread religious texts, televangelism created global followings and social media turned pastors into influencers. AI takes it a step further. Custom-built “prophets” are generating entire faith systems in real time. These aren’t just tools for theological debate, they are creating belief structures, moral codes and rituals tailored to the individual rather than the collective.

Some initiatives have aimed for enlightenment. AI-generated sacred texts, blending teachings from multiple religions, attempt to offer a modernised ethical framework for a secular world. AI-driven virtual priests deliver personalised guidance for those disillusioned with traditional faith. Meditation apps, affirmation generators and digital oracles have already replaced prayer for many.

But there’s a darker side. If AI can generate religions, it can also engineer them. Algorithms do not operate in a vacuum; they reflect the biases of those who build them. What happens when an AI-led faith is designed not for enlightenment but for influence? What will the AI that is currently known to be cheating, replicating itself and causing concern as much as excitement, do in the field of spirituality? Are algorithmic cults next? 

AI allows religions to form rapidly and at scale. A human can only convert so many followers, but an AI can recruit, guide and indoctrinate thousands simultaneously. Agents are going to be gobbling up data and using it against us.

Faith built on engagement metrics raises new risks. Social media algorithms have already proven their ability to shape political beliefs, radicalising communities by serving up hyper-personalised content designed for maximum retention. AI-driven religion could take this further, creating custom belief systems optimised for emotional resonance. Instead of discovering faith, people could be fed a religion that confirms their pre-existing biases, fine-tuned to their fears, desires and anxieties.