“Silicon Valley’s faith in technology as the savior of humanity
echoes ancient myths of divine intervention.” Lanier (2013)
This essay investigates the Messiah Savior Complex in Big Tech, where artificial intelligence is presented as a redemptive force capable of solving humanity’s most urgent challenges. Using the historical analogy of the narwhal tusk trade, in which tusks were sold as unicorn horns to European elites, the analysis illustrates how myth-based narratives continue to influence technological realities. In contemporary discourse, these narratives take the form of hyperstitions, which are beliefs that become real through repetition, institutional reinforcement, and collective investment. Such dynamics obscure empirical scrutiny and displace critical engagement with the socio-technical realities of AI development. The essay argues that magical thinking and industry promotion often sustain these belief structures to deflect regulatory oversight and maintain public enthusiasm. Rather than rejecting technological progress, the paper calls for a transdisciplinary framework that treats AI as embedded in systems requiring accountability, transparency, and contextual awareness.
The unicorn horn deception was not merely a case of medieval gullibility but a sophisticated system that leveraged cultural symbols and created powerful incentives to maintain the existing illusion. Similarly, today’s AI narratives function as powerful mythologies that shape investment, policy, and public understanding. Cowin, J. (2025). Narwhals, unicorns, and Big Tech’s messiah complex: A transdisciplinary allegory for the age of AI. The Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 23(7), 146–151. https://www.iiisci.org/journal/sci/Contents.asp?Previous=#/
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