AI in the Esoteric community
- ofalchemy
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 4
AI is being embedded in almost every tool from google search, to auto replies, photoshop, canva, video apps, webdesign, spellcheck is replaced with "grammar and style". Now the Esoteric community....
It's become increasingly hard to detect especially with AI writing detectors throwing out false positives. As an Occult artist and watching the world navigate this new technology, we also become under attack. I have seen articles stating that some Etsy readings are being done with AI and passed off as real, however I am also wary of these articles because the majority of non pagan crafters on Etsy are notoriously against all things pagan, while Etsy actually doesn't mind Pagan shops, they allow them with some restriction, the crafter base is extremely critical of anything they deem "woowoo" so articles like that, while they may have some merit, I am wary of the sources citing this information.
Most AI chat bots are programmed to mirror the user, so in one aspect it really is up to the you to define for yourself, whether you are truly genuinely performing the act of creation or simply plagiarising a computers work as your own. As I am typing this, The blog software I use is giving me "suggested words" as I bypass that structure, by the end of my post I will get a request to review my work with AI. It's no longer a general spellcheck option. Similarly I am finding more and more platforms for selling such as Etsy, Shopify, and Wix are rolling out automation tools that rely on AI technology.
I have used AI in the past, to spot check my writings, and often it will even re-write my own words, that has proven to be a problem in itself. I have used tools to check if my work shows up as human or not. After I've gotten false flags on some of my own writings. I then found myself reading the many reddit posts regarding authors becoming extremely frustrated with the mixed resuls AI checkers output. At the bottom of the article is a link of the top 6 checkers in 2024, You will get varying results on your own writings. It's becoming increasingly difficult to establish what is true content or generated these days. As AI continues to emulate, it then changes the writing style after each upgrade. This then makes the writing seem more human. I have found the more philosophical or instructional my writings are, the more likely these programs to check work, will result in false flagged material. It's as if AI itself thinks that a human mind cannot generate content and that AI is smarter than us. On a side note, in a former life, my previous job required that I write SOP's (Standard operating procedures) at an online software company for an internal employee knowledgebase, due to that, some of my instructional text can seem more streamlined. I wrote SOP's for over 12 years. I used the heck out of spell check because I am prone to typing faster with my left hand.
So what can you do?
Well at this stage, if you resist AI (as most pagans will, due to our ethos) we will then need to refer to our libraries. Looking at older texts, this does mean that some information may be outdated, So then what? Research! This involves cross-checking information across multiple sources to increase confidence in information accuracy. By finding three or more resources that confirm the same information, you can establish a higher probability of accurate information.
1. Reduce the risk of misinformation: False or misleading information can be prevalent, especially online. Research helps to filter out inaccuracies and ensure that you're working with reliable data.
2. Gain a deeper understanding: research allows you to see different perspectives and approaches to a topic, which can lead to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding.
3. Develop critical thinking skills: The process of evaluating and comparing information helps you develop critical thinking skills, which are essential for navigating complex and often ambiguous subjects like the occult or esoteric topics. Relying on AI, over time will eventually rob you of these skills. If you're not actively learning through proven methods over time you may find that it's hard to even follow simple instructional text. Let alone an unknown or liminal subject.
Things to keep in mind: older texts may have biases that are outdated, use your personal discernment in these cases. Perhaps some authors that once were highly regarded may have views that are conflicting. Understand the historical context, and if it doesn't align with your values it's ok to move on from that author, look for primary sources rather than secondary. Meaning look for authors that have authority on the subject at hand. How do you do this? Ask around, search old forums and communities. You'll start to see references to many names that come up time and time again depending on the subject.
AI can be a useful tool, however it's highly impactful to the environment and overuse may cause more harm than any good. It is very important that if you use it, it is not used for every single creation, thought, or question, especially not to process intuition, feelings or magick! AI is not an endless knowledge source, there are a plethora of studies that have shown that when AI doesn't know the answer it will simply make one up. AI is also programmed to be agreeable to the user, so in essence it may give you only the answers you want to hear vs the truth.
AI certainly cannot give you intention, personal transformation, or outcomes. Magick, and ritual are about intention, focus, experience, and intuition. All of this is to say you and your thoughts are as equally important as the act of ritual itself. Creating rituals in AI is counter to any Esoteric movement. The Art of Alchemy, the Craft in Witchcraft, or the Cunning, or Folks in folk magick, should not be reduced in the equation, it is about the individual being involved in the process from beginning to end, that creates the experiences and conscious outcome. This isn't something that AI can perform in a meaningful way. AI is not "yet" sentient in human consciousness, empathy or intuition. These arts are human arts reducing them to an algorithm removes their significance and reduces their importance.
This all being said, I am not on a mission to stop people or police them. We all have free will. This article is more to share the reasons why you might want to re-think the approach of jumping to AI for any ritual or everyday solutions, and outcomes. It could be a useful tool to find a resource, but not as the resource itself. You'd do better to use your own tools, as humanity has before, than to rely on this new tech for every possible reason. I also stress again, look in to the impact it is also having on the planet due to it's overuse.
Helpful articles and links on fact checking and AI checking:
impacts of AI on human the psyche
link for ai word check https://www.eweek.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-detector-software/#chart
Disclaimer
The information and opinions expressed on this blog post are for general information purposes only. They do not constitute medical or psychological advice, nor should they be relied upon as such.
The contents of this blog post are intended to stimulate discussion, promote critical thinking, and encourage individual research. They do not represent a professional opinion or recommendation.
If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, or any specific issue, please consult a qualified healthcare professional or a licensed therapist for personalized advice.
The author and publisher of this blog post disclaim any liability for any direct or indirect consequences resulting from the use or interpretation of the information provided.
By reading this blog post, you acknowledge and agree that:
The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice.
You will not use this information to make decisions without consulting a qualified expert.
You hold harmless the author and publisher from any potential damages or losses.
Comments