# OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says religious analogies to AI are a safety issue

Digest AI · Society & Work · published 2026-10-03T18:56:30Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-ceo-sam-altman-says-religious-analogies-to-ai-are-a-safety-issu

## Summary

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman told reporters that describing AI models with religious language makes him "very uncomfortable" and represents a real safety concern. He pushed back against the idea of "magic intelligence in the sky" and warned that ascribing divine or angelic qualities to AI could mislead users about the technology’s limits.

Altman's comments came after a New York Times report on Anthropic’s outreach to religious leaders and a statement from Pope Leo XIV that "algorithms lack the spark of humanity." Altman has previously said his goal was to build AI that feels like the sci‑fi film "Her," emphasizing human‑like interaction without claiming consciousness or spiritual status.

The remarks highlight ongoing debate over how AI is framed in public discourse and underscore OpenAI’s focus on safety and clear communication about what its models can and cannot do.

## Key points

- Sam Altman said religious analogies to AI are a safety issue and make him uncomfortable
- Altman referenced past remarks about "magic intelligence in the sky" and the sci‑fi film "Her"
- His comments follow a NYT report on Anthropic’s religious outreach and a Pope Leo XIV statement on AI

## Why it matters

Framing AI with religious language can distort public expectations and policy discussions; Altman's stance signals OpenAI’s priority on clear, safety‑focused communication.

## Sources

1. [Apparently, OpenAI isn't trying to build "magic intelligence in the sky" anymore](https://the-decoder.com/apparently-openai-isnt-trying-to-build-magic-intelligence-in-the-sky-anymore) (The Decoder, 2026-10-03)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says religious analogies to AI are a safety issue", 3 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-ceo-sam-altman-says-religious-analogies-to-ai-are-a-safety-issu

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