Joe Allen, a self-proclaimed tech-Luddite, has been traveling the country giving sermons warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). His message is resonating with many Americans who are increasingly worried about AI’s impact on their jobs, electricity bills, and mental health.

Allen’s Rise to Prominence

Allen’s skepticism of AI would have been niche just a few years ago, but now he is firmly in the mainstream. In February, Time magazine featured him in a cover story about the backlash against AI. His speeches, writings, and media appearances are helping fuel a widening rift on AI within the American right that could pose a problem for President Donald Trump and Republicans in the coming midterm elections.

Many in Allen’s audiences are supporters of President Trump, but they don’t necessarily agree with the Trump administration’s largely hands-off approach to regulating AI. A June survey from the Pew Research Center found that more Americans feel AI will be bad than good for society. A bipartisan majority wants the government to regulate AI, but even among Republicans, 61% are not confident in the government’s ability to regulate AI effectively.

Allen’s Message

Allen’s message is not against modern technology, but against the perception of AI as a ‘god’ that knows better than humans about what is ‘good’ and ‘true’. He claims that the ‘tech elite’ aims to replace God with the ‘religion of AI’. He has also warned that AI ‘uses you’ and preys on children, ‘masked by the innocence’ of a screen.

Allen’s speeches have been well-received by many, including those at the First Baptist Church in Dallas, one of the country’s largest mega churches. The church’s leader, Robert Jeffries, has been a longtime ally of President Trump, and many of the church’s congregants are avowed Trump supporters. However, when Allen spoke at the church in March, it was clear that many of those supporters didn’t like Trump’s initial approach to AI.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.