Can A.I. teach you how to read tarot?

I'm curious: Have you ever used ChatGPT or other A.I. apps to learn tarot?

If so, how did it go? 

I ask because I've noticed more mentions of ChatGPT in relation to learning tarot and astrology this season. In 2023, I wrote a blog about whether we should be concerned that A.I. could replace real-life tarot readers and other diviners. At the time, ChatGPT was becoming more commonplace and there were a lot of murmurings in the tarot community about what it might mean for our industry as time goes on. 

People were, and still are, wondering: Will tarot decks with A.I. generated art become the norm? Will tarot illustrators be replaced? 

What if people turn to ChatGPT as an oracle? 

At the time, I wasn't too worried. I'm still not. 

Yes, we have to pay attention to technological advances. Whether we participate in them or not, it's always smart to stay in the know about where innovation is headed.

I've been hearing more and more about Chat GPT being used to create content, or to generate new ideas for blog posts, tarot spreads, and even outline classes. 

And when it comes to learning new things, like tarot or astrology, I've been noticing - for the first time - that some people are using Chat GPT as a way to learn more about divination.

Is this a good idea, though?

First, I think it depends. I've talked a lot in the past about what to keep in mind when turning to social media for lessons on tarot or related work: You have to remember that you're at the mercy of the algorithm, and the algorithm isn't interested in designing a curriculum. There are a lot of people on platforms like TikTok and Instagram who have big followings because they're good at social media, not necessarily because they're particularly experienced or skilled in the topics they share about.

But there are also some amazing free resources out there. You have to know how to recognize them, though.

And it can be hard to navigate that if you're a newbie and you don't have anything to compare information to. As one of my past students once said when she showed up for our first class, "I don't know what I don't know."

That's a good thing to keep in mind when you're treading into any type of new learning or hobby.

Because sometimes people end up feeling frustrated when they only rely on Google and social media searches to learn tarot. They end up with a mixed bag of information, some of contradictory, and can end up wondering which bits and pieces they should hold onto, and what to throw away.

Will Chat GPT end up more of the same?

Time will tell.

But I don't think that software can replace a teacher who has lived experience. Whether someone is teaching you tarot through a book, a blog, or a structured class, that experience is coming from someone who has made specific decisions what they need to communicate to facilitate a transformation in their students. 

I've been participating in a course for my own development this year and some of my peers there have mentioned they are using Chat GPT for additional study. But it feels like a deviation from the path that our teacher has laid out for us: There are study guides, recommended reading, and supplementary materials that have been intentionally selected to support the aim of the course.

What I find as someone who teaches classes, as well as someone who takes classes, is that sometimes students take in way more information than they need at one time. If you are taking a class already, just follow the flow of the information.

There's a reason it's been laid out that way. Teaching isn't just repeating information: Teachers are transmitting their experience to you, and they are usually improving upon common mistakes that they made when they were in your shoes.

It can be hard to put that trust in someone when there's so much information out there and you want to learn right away. But grabbing at every little piece you can - whether it comes from A.I. or Google or wherever else - can end up diluting your learning experience rather than enhancing it.

We have to remember that A.I. isn't sentient: It doesn't know why or what it's sharing with you. It's just responding to a prompt with information it's repeating from elsewhere.

That process reminds me of being in school when book reports would be due. There would always be some kids who'd read the book, and others who hadn't but would scramble around all day asking their friends, "Can you tell me what the book was about?" You can get a Coles Notes version of something, but it's not the same as knowing the story as if you'd read it yourself.

That can be the difference between getting surface-level information versus something that comes from real-world application and implementation.

 Teachers have lived what they're sharing.

 A software program is just responding to commands.

Besides, there will always be a desire for students to have a living, breathing mentor to interact with. I regularly get requests for 1:1 mentoring, live Zoom classes, and in-person workshops. 

I don't think we're going to lose our desire for human connection to A.l.

There is so much nuance in being able to hear someone's personal perspectives and unique methodologies. Tarot is not about one thing and it's not universally structured enough to be taught on-repeat.

So while I don't think A.I. will replace flesh and blood teachers, but the divination community should anticipate that A.I. could become another gateway for people to engage with tarot and like-minded pursuits.

But to circle back to my earlier question: Have you used A.I. to learn tarot? What did you get from the experience? I'd love to know.

Until next time,

Liz

p.s. If you're looking for a class that's been developed by a real, flesh and blood person (hint: it's me) to advance your tarot skills, check out my tarot courses here.