This includes threats to artificial intelligence systems from both conventional sources and other AIs. The ETSI Securing Artificial Intelligence group was initiated to anticipate that autonomous mechanical and computing entities may make decisions that act against the relying parties either by design or as a result of malicious intent. Using AI to enhance security measures against attack from other things e.g. AI is part of the'solution' or is used to improve and enhance more conventional countermeasures. The purpose of the ETSI ISG SAI is to develop the technical knowledge that acts as a baseline in ensuring that artificial intelligence is secure.

Some years ago, the prospect of a religion worshiping Artificial Intelligence would have seemed absurd as being technologically improbable and socially unacceptable. Off late, there have been tangible references that point towards advances into cognitive science, genetic editing, machine learning, robotics and other fields strong-holding the belief that coming years will be determined by technology. From Whole Brain Emulation to Artificial Intelligence, advanced technologies have been touted as miracle signs with awe-inspiring wonder having a cult following and more noticeable as religion. As pointed by the science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke in 1973, "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" the changes in technology makes people believe in this magic. The theme of machine-as-god has appeared in science fiction as way back in Isaac Asimov's short stories, Reason and The Last Question, which has become a mainstream metaphor evidenced by a growing number of scientists who have openly described the technological progress in religious terms, including renowned researchers and professors like Ray Kurzweil, Hugo de Garis, Hans Peter Moravec and Allen Newell.