Sometimes, there are things in life that logic can’t explain. Horoscope reading has served as a mental anchor to mankind for many centuries. As the world evolves, technology such as AI. has been incorporated into it as well.
There is no question that the trend of horoscope reading has been on the rise nowadays. It has been viewed and used as a form of entertainment, self-connection, self-discovery, or even a way to predict the upcoming future.
What’s behind the trend?
The main actor in this phenomenon is no other than social media. Horoscope reading has become a trend, a part of pop-culture. Many songs, movies, and social media posts have had its share of involving astrological or horoscopic elements in its content.
Tied with social media and the internet is Artificial Intelligence or AI. It has also played an important role in modern day’s horoscope reading.
One way that horoscope reading has been surfacing on the internet is through the online tarot reading or “Pick a card” contents. Commonly, hashtags are used to help with the algorithm. Creators would include hashtags like “#horoscopes”, “#astrology”, “#tarot”, or “#pickacard”.
However, AI has evolved to the point that hashtags are sometimes no longer needed, such as on the “TikTok” app. These days, AI doesn’t have to rely only on captions anymore. It can now recognize texts in images or videos, up to unwritten content such as videos and audios.
With the machine learning algorithms, the AI would study the contents that users watch, recognizing patterns to create predictions of their current situations. Then, sends a tarot reading that might be accurate to its users up to their feed.
The merging of Technology and Astrology
Another thing we have to acknowledge is that many times, horoscope reading is based on astrology calculations. Back in the days, horoscope reading had to calculate and predict a reading all by themselves. Nowadays, AI can help ease that effort.
AI can study a large database in a short amount of time. With the ability to do quick and accurate numeric calculations, recognizing astrology patterns, and going as far as personalizing the outcome for its user.
This can be beneficial not only for the horoscope readers but also for the general public. Instead of putting in the effort to talk with a reader, users can use chatbots like “ChatGPT” and “Gemini” to analyze and give them their horoscope reading.
There are even chatbots made specifically for horoscope reading. “Co-Star” for example, is an app that provides personalized reading by using the user’s birth chart and astrology data from NASA. The app provides on-demand reading to daily updates and predictions.
Other than increasing accessibility, AIs like Co-star have also helped in the democratization of this art. In the past, we could only rely on a trained reader with their senses and experience to provide us with a reading.
Now, with the help of AI, people can become their own reader. Breaking the traditional hierarchy and being able to access readings without intermediaries.
Co-Star even has one of their promotional messages quoting “Access to astrology this accurate has historically been restricted to those with access to personal astrologers—now these predictions can be anyone’s.”
The future
There are great potentials for AI’s role in horoscope reading. Ones that might take it to a whole new level.
Firstly, real time data collection can be integrated. Instead of an information input system, AI can integrate a tracking system where it tracks the user’s emotional and psychological data. Collecting things like mood of the day, life decisions, heart rates, sleep patterns, etc. This way, it can provide an even more personalized and time specific reading.
Secondly, utilizing the AR/VR technology to create an engaging interaction and foster trust with the users. An example is a space traveling experience. It can guide the user through all the astrological connections that make up their horoscope reading. This can create an immersive experience for the users
The Dangers
There are two sides to every story. We might have seen how beneficial AI has been but one crucial thing we must always remember is that it can also be dangerous.
As AI collects the user’s data for personalized reading. It is utilizing and keeping storage of sensitive data which can be a privacy concern for many.
We can’t be sure who has access to these data the AI is collecting. Not to mention being sure if it would not be used elsewhere.
There are many cases where even the most trusted organizations have secretly or accidentally shared sensitive user information to others outside of the user’s consent.
Therefore, we need to ensure the ethical use of our data when utilizing these AI tools. Consent agreements should be discussed before using any AI services, and we should ensure it complies with the local consumer protection regulations.
AI stealing human jobs?
The million dollar question that must be addressed is “Can horoscope readers be completely replaced by AI?”.
From all that is mentioned, AI is reliable for the accuracy of its calculations and pattern recognition and more. It can even mimic the human nature of speaking or way of explaining things.
Although AI has many advantages and advancements compared to the human readers, all of its predictions are computationally generated. This means that, in a way, there is logic behind it.
Horoscope reading is an art that integrates both abstract and logic together. Human readers possess the ability to be intuitive and for some, even psychic. Human interaction can foster trust, connection and authenticity. All things that AI still and will ever be lacking.
To conclude
Horoscope reading has been and still is a rising trend that helps people to get in touch with themselves in a different aspect. AI is useful and has become extremely helpful for horoscope reading these coming days. However, there are still ethical factors that users should still be concerned about. The AI horoscope reading can be viewed as both help and threat to the human horoscope readers. However, it is far from replacing them entirely.
