The God Test

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By Robert Wright ’79

Published Sept. 22, 2026

In The God Test (Simon & Schuster), Pulitzer Prize finalist Robert Wright ’79 examines the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity. Drawing on decades of research and writing about technology, Wright argues that to understand AI, we must look beyond the history of machines to the much longer, complex history of life itself. Tracing the parallels between the development of artificial and biological intelligence, he considers whether humanity has the political, moral, and even spiritual tools to guide AI responsibly. Ultimately, The God Test asks readers a question with consequences far beyond modern technologies: Can we harness AI in ways that help humanity flourish rather than undermine it?

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PAW's October 2026 cover, featuring a photo of a loaf of challah bread and the headline "The Braids That Bind."
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