The traditional concept of a messiah as an anointed figure bringing salvation is being reexamined through the lens of modern technology and its environmental consequences. Ancient literature reveals the term messiah refers to an official ceremony where a person is named a king, suggesting formal appointment rather than inherent divinity, raising questions about contemporary applications to technological developments.
Music therapy demonstrates measurable benefits for human wellbeing, with the American Psychiatric Association reporting that musical experiences can profoundly affect overall health. A 2022 meta-analysis review concluded that music therapy has beneficial effects on stress-related outcomes, suggesting certain interventions can positively impact human lives without the environmental costs associated with some technologies.
Artificial intelligence presents a complex case when examined through this framework. While innovators like Sam Altman of OpenAI proclaim new technologies will bring prosperity to national infrastructures worldwide, environmental concerns complicate this optimistic narrative. The United Nations Environment Assembly has reported that artificial intelligence advancement will negatively impact the surrounding environment, primarily through resource-intensive data storage requirements.
Wesley Spindler of Global Sustainability Leadership reported that a single megawatt of data center capacity can consume 25.5 million litres of water annually. This substantial water usage represents a significant environmental problem as freshwater sources become increasingly scarce globally. The contrast between music's therapeutic benefits and artificial intelligence's environmental costs highlights the tension between technological progress and ecological sustainability.
The question of whether artificial intelligence qualifies as a modern messiah depends on how one weighs its potential benefits against its documented environmental impacts. While technological advancement promises economic and infrastructural improvements, the resource demands of data centers create environmental challenges that must be addressed. This tension between innovation and sustainability represents a critical consideration for societies evaluating technological development's role in addressing contemporary challenges.
