At the premiere of his new film Mercy, actor Chris Pratt strongly stated that artificial intelligence cannot replace God because it is confined by human imperfection. In the movie, Pratt portrays a detective accused of killing his wife, who must prove his innocence to an AI judge within 90 minutes or face execution. This storyline raised questions about AI’s role and influence.
When asked about his thoughts on AI outside the context of the film, Pratt acknowledged,
“In a sense, in this film, it’s almost like playing God.”
He emphasized,
“Oh yeah, well, AI is man-made, you know? And so it cannot be God,”
adding that it is “inherently flawed” and “always will be” due to being created from humanity’s brokenness.
“So…it’ll always be limited the way we are limited. It is not God, and it will not replace God,”
he stated.
Chris Pratt’s Balanced Approach to AI’s Future
Chris Pratt, widely recognized for roles in Parks and Recreation, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Jurassic World, is open about his Christian faith and his collaboration with the prayer app Hallow. At the Mercy premiere, Pratt called his part “a bit of a departure” from previous roles, describing the film as “really challenging and technical” and “visually really stunning.”
Regarding the film’s focus on AI, Pratt observed,
“It does feel really prescient and more so now than even when we were filming it a year-and-a-half ago. I mean the world has changed so much and so, as we promote the film, a lot of conversations are coming up around our use of AI.”
In conversations with co-star Rebecca Ferguson, who plays the AI judge, Pratt expressed that while he is “cautiously optimistic” about AI as a tool, he remains concerned about its impact on future generations. He revealed that his children, three with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger and one son from his marriage to Anna Faris, do not possess social media accounts or phones.
“They haven’t even really seen movies,”
he said, underscoring his intent to protect them from certain technologies.
Implications of Pratt’s Views on AI and Faith
Chris Pratt’s statements highlight ongoing tensions about the integration of AI in society, especially amid rapid technological advances that provoke debate on ethics and spirituality. His clear separation between AI and divine power reflects a broader anxiety about overreliance on technology that lacks moral consciousness. As conversations around AI intensify, Pratt’s perspective reveals how faith and caution coexist among some public figures navigating this evolving landscape.
With his role in Mercy spotlighting the controversial use of AI in law enforcement, Pratt’s outspoken views contribute to a deeper public discourse about how humanity should approach artificial intelligence. His concerns about children growing up in a digital age dominated by AI underscore the challenges families face in balancing technological benefits with potential risks.
