Is Tech Our New God? - Insights From a Motivational Speaker

Scott Galloway got me thinking. I’ll sum up his argument then I’ll explore the risks, changes, and how to prepare.

Is Tech Our New God?

Humans are meaning makers. Throughout history, we have sought answers, guidance, and a sense of purpose from forces greater than ourselves. Whether through gods, religious institutions, or philosophical systems, we have always looked for something beyond us to shape our understanding of the world. But today, traditional religion plays a smaller role in many lives than ever before. And nature abhors a vacuum.

In its place, a new deity has emerged: technology. We turn to AI for answers. We ask Google before we ask each other. We look to algorithms for guidance—on what to buy, where to go, even who to love. Tech is omnipresent yet invisible, everywhere and nowhere, much like the divine. And those who control it—the engineers, CEOs, and policymakers—often wield influence akin to high priests, shaping our beliefs, behaviours, and even our ethics.

What Changes Might This Bring?

This shift has profound implications for society, work, and individual agency.

1. The Automation of Morality
   AI-driven decisions increasingly influence legal systems, hiring practices, and medical diagnoses. But these systems aren’t neutral—they reflect the biases and values of their creators.
2. The Reshaping of Work
   In many professions, AI is becoming the decision-maker. From finance to journalism, algorithms now determine stock trades, generate news articles, and even diagnose diseases. Greater efficiency, maybe? but what about human judgment and creativity?
3. The Loss of Personal Agency
   The more we rely on AI to make choices for us, the less we exercise our own decision-making muscles. When algorithms curate our news feeds, suggest our entertainment, and even predict our desires before we voice them, are we thinking for ourselves or merely following the path laid out for us?

How Can We Prepare?

If technology is becoming our new god, we must decide how to engage with it—worship blindly or question its authority? Here’s how we can prepare:

1. Become Critical Thinkers
   Don’t take AI-generated answers at face value. Cross-check sources, understand how algorithms work, and remain skeptical of “black box” decision-making.
2. Develop Human Skills
   Empathy, creativity, and ethical reasoning are irreplaceable. While AI can process data, it cannot replicate human connection or moral intuition.
3. Retain Control Over Decisions
   Use AI as a tool, not a master. Set limits on how much control algorithms have over your choices.

Technology is powerful, but it is not infallible. AI may be everywhere, but the responsibility to shape our future remains in our hands. The question isn’t whether tech will become our god—it’s whether we’ll allow it to.