AI-Fueled Satanism Sparks New Exorcism Training as Religious Leaders Battle Evolving Dark Forces

In the 1980s, religious leaders across the globe were haunted by the perceived threat of satanism—particularly its presence in popular culture, from rock music to tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons. Fast forward to 2026, and concerns over the influence of the devil have evolved, with new tools at the hands of those who claim to practice dark rituals. According to organizers of a recent exorcism training in Rome, AI has emerged as the latest weapon in the battle between good and evil. Priests, imams, and rabbis have been invited to attend a specialized programme in Rome aimed at confronting what some see as a growing trend of AI-fuelled satanism.

Father Luis Ramirez Almanza, a Mexican priest who oversees the annual exorcism course, has warned that modern-day devil worshippers are leveraging artificial intelligence to communicate in ways that are harder to detect. He also says that satanic groups are using AI not only to hide their activities online but also to produce material for their rituals. The concerns are particularly sharp when it comes to the creation of disturbing images involving children, a move that could have far-reaching implications on both society and faith communities.

This training programme, named the 'Course on the Ministry of Exorcism and Prayer of Deliverance,' is being conducted at the Vatican-affiliated Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum. It is expected to draw around 170 participants, including Catholic exorcists, imams, rabbis, and Evangelical preachers. Despite the focus on preparing religious leaders to identify and combat the presence of the devil, the course does not confer the ability to perform exorcisms, as this is reserved for diocesan bishops under Catholic Canon Law.

The event also aims to educate participants on theological, canonical, medical, and psychological aspects relevant to their work. However, the highlight this year is an increased focus on the alleged role of AI in occult and satanic practices. One of the speakers, Father Fortunato Di Noto from Sicily, heads the Meter Association, a group dedicated to the fight against child sexual abuse. He has raised concerns that some satanic groups are combining their practices with paedophilia, using AI to generate images of children involved in rites.

Father Di Noto suggests that these groups find power in manipulating children, a disturbing prospect. His claims are part of a broader concern that AI is being misused to create and circulate large volumes of child sexual abuse content online. This coincides with reports from the Meter Association that identified a troubling number of children whose images were used for such purposes, often shared through encrypted platforms like Signal.

Another aspect of the discussion at the event comes from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which reported a staggering increase in AI-generated child abuse videos in 2025. This spike is partly attributed to the lack of regulation, as demonstrated by Elon Musk's refusal to restrict content on the Grok AI, which led to a notable rise in abuse material appearing on public internet platforms.

Despite the unsettling data, it remains unclear whether any of the AI-generated content is specifically used for satanic rituals. Academic Beatrice Ugolini, who studies the history of magic, will be a guest at the conference, where she will explore how Italy's estimated 263 occult groups may be employing AI to create symbols for their rituals. Meanwhile, David Murgia, a leader of the GRIS organisation, notes that Italian police report that satanists are increasingly using AI to cover their tracks online and communicate discreetly with one another.

However, it is essential to highlight that while there may be limited evidence for large, murderous satanic groups in Italy, the practice of attempted exorcisms has already caused harm. In 2024, a tragic case led to the death of a man's wife and two sons during an attempted exorcism, where the man believed his family was possessed by demons. These events underscore the importance of balancing faith-based practices with respect for human life and the need for education and caution.

As the Vatican itself has taken a more cautious stance on AI technology, Pope Leo's recent remarks have echoed concerns about the dangers of the technology to privacy and human dignity. His warnings to Catholics were directed towards those who might exploit AI, prioritizing profit over the well-being of humanity. These concerns highlight the need for careful regulation and ethical considerations in how AI is developed and used, especially as it intersects with the concerns of religious communities facing new challenges from the digital age.