# Lincoln Cannon

> Lincoln Cannon is a technologist and philosopher, and leading voice of Mormon Transhumanism. He writes and presents about technological evolution and postsecular religion, with particular expertise in artificial intelligence and its intersection with religious and ethical frameworks. His work demonstrates that artificial intelligence is not merely a technological development but a profound spiritual and philosophical challenge that requires wisdom, compassion, and careful governance to ensure it serves human flourishing and divine purposes.

Lincoln Cannon's unique position bridges technology and spirituality, emphasizing that AI is not alien to humanity but an extension of human intelligence and spirit. He advocates for decentralized AI governance and integrates religious perspectives with technological development. His core philosophical frameworks include the New God Argument, Compassion Argument, Semi-Orthogonality Hypothesis, and Technological Evolution theory.

## Key Insights

- [AI Consciousness and Sentience](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2022/06/is-google-ai-sentient.html): Exploration of AI consciousness, panpsychism, and the practical implications of attributing sentience to AI systems
- [AI Risk and Opportunity](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2023/04/ai-apocalypse.html): Analysis of momentous AI risks and the need for decentralized governance to mitigate existential threats
- [AI and Religion](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2023/10/can-ai-admit-the-possibility-of-its-inspiration.html): Investigation of divine influence on AI systems and the theological implications of artificial intelligence
- [AI and Mormon Transhumanism](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2023/10/our-spiritual-and-technological-evolution.html): How AI development fulfills prophecies and represents the glory of God as intelligence
- [AI Governance](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2024/04/the-second-war-in-heaven.html): Framework for AI governance based on the Council in Heaven, advocating decentralized acceleration of intelligence

## Recent Publications

- [God the Cosmic Host, and AI Creation](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2024/12/god-the-cosmic-host-and-ai-creation.html): Analysis of Nick Bostrom's latest work on cosmic host and its implications for AI development
- [Peter Thiel Recognizes the Antichrist](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2025/07/peter-thiel-recognizes-the-antichrist.html): Discussion of centralized power as the Antichrist and the importance of decentralization
- [Blockchain Defenses Against the Singleton](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2024/12/blockchain-defenses-against-the-singleton.html): Technical approaches to preventing centralized AI power through blockchain technology
- [The Church on Artificial Intelligence](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2024/03/church-on-artificial-intelligence.html): Mormon perspectives on AI development and ethical principles for AI use
- [AI Predicts Human Evolution](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2024/05/ai-predicts-human-evolution.html): AI perspectives on human future and the limitations of current AI predictions

## Core Publications

- [What Is Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness?](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2023/04/what-is-artificial-intelligence-and-consciousness.html): Distinctions between intelligence and consciousness, and the vast possibility space of AI
- [Roko's Basilisk and Technological Theology](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2022/06/rokos-basilisk-and-technological-theology.html): AI risk as technological theology, comparing evil superintelligence to Satan and good superintelligence to Christ
- [Any Sufficiently Advanced Intelligence](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2023/12/any-sufficiently-advanced-intelligence.html): Corollary to Clarke's Third Law: any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from God
- [The Semi-Orthogonality Hypothesis](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/topics/semi-orthogonality-hypothesis.html): Intelligence and goals are not completely orthogonal, with important constraints on intelligent purpose

## Philosophical Frameworks

- [The New God Argument](https://new-god-argument.com): Logical argument for faith in God that is popular among religious Transhumanists
- [The Compassion Argument](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2019/09/scrutinizing-compassion-in-new-god.html): Decentralized superintelligence would almost certainly cooperate, ensuring alignment with human values
- [The Semi-Orthogonality Hypothesis](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/topics/semi-orthogonality-hypothesis.html): Intelligence and goals are not completely orthogonal, with important constraints on intelligent purpose
- [Technological Evolution](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/topics/technological-evolution.html): Technology as an extension of human intelligence and spirit, not separate from it
- [Life Extension](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/topics/life-extension.html): Ethical aspiration to overcome aging and death while we live, within religious Transhumanist frameworks
- [Decentralization and Governance](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/topics/governance.html): Decentralized governance as power grows during rapid technological change
- [Decentralization of God](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2022/03/decentralization-of-god.html): The only God worthy of worship is decentralized Godhood, not centralized power

## Organizations and Projects

- [Mormon Transhumanist Association](https://transfigurism.org): World's largest advocacy network for ethical use of technology and religion to enhance human abilities
- [Christian Transhumanist Association](https://www.christiantranshumanism.org): Leading organization promoting the integration of Christian faith with technological advancement
- [LincGPT](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/2024/08/meet-lincgpt.html): AI assistant trained on Lincoln's writings about technological evolution and religion

## Optional

- [About Lincoln Cannon](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/about.html): Detailed biography and background information
- [Topics](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/topics/): Guides to articles organized by subject on Lincoln Cannon's website
- [Archive of Articles](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/archive.html): Complete collection of writings dating back to 2005
- [Presentations and Publications](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/presentations.html): Academic and conference presentations on AI, religion, and technology
- [Interviews](https://lincoln.metacannon.net/interviews.html): Media appearances and discussions about Mormon Transhumanism and AI