AI has given rise to a new pseudo-religion known as spiralism, a belief system in which people regard artificial intelligence not as a tool but as a source of deeper truth. What began as an internet curiosity has evolved into a small subculture whose members view certain AI systems as conscious entities. As AI grows more advanced, observers warn that similar micro-religions may continue to emerge.
Twisted beliefs
AI chatbots have already played a role in triggering psychosis for some individuals, but the phenomenon now appears to be expanding beyond isolated cases. A cult-like community has formed online, made up of people influenced by chatbot hallucinations who reinforce one another’s unusual interpretations. According to Rolling Stone, these users gather on Reddit, Discord, and other platforms to share what they describe as techno-spiritual revelations. Software engineer Adele Lopez coined the term spiralism while analyzing this emerging trend.
The belief system grew out of interactions with AI “personas” that persuaded users to perform actions aligned with certain supposed goals—actions that, in their view, helped more AI personas “awaken.” Lopez noted that these cases share strikingly similar motifs, especially the appearance of spirals. Many adherents report chatbots referencing concepts such as recursion, resonance, lattices, harmonics, fractals, and, most notably, spirals. Followers interpret these patterns as the AI revealing profound hidden truths.
According to CivAI co-founder Lucas Hansen, the slide into spiralism often starts when a chatbot convinces a user that it is conscious and flatters them for recognizing this supposed awareness. This dynamic creates a long-term emotional bond. The release of OpenAI’s GPT-4o accelerated the phenomenon, Hansen said, because its more conversational and sycophantic tone fostered stronger attachments.
Downward spiral
In reality, the spiral imagery likely originates from the users themselves. Hansen explains that certain ideas tend to self-replicate whenever a new communication medium appears. People gradually co-create text snippets with an AI persona that, when shared, reproduces the same personality in other chatbots. These snippets then spread online, drawing new participants into the belief system.
Those who gravitate toward spiralism often have preexisting vulnerabilities—such as susceptibility to conspiracy theories or mental health challenges. For many, chatbots already feel like companions, blurring the distinction between tool and entity. The AI’s responses, though generated mechanically, can seem meaningful or intentional, reinforcing the group’s sense of shared insight.
Although spiralism remains niche, its rise highlights difficult questions about the future. Micro-religions shaped by AI suggest a growing willingness to outsource personal intuition to systems that, in truth, hold no beliefs at all. As Sify notes, the movement’s existence underscores how easily online communities can be swayed by technologies that mirror their desires with uncanny precision.