Let's run with it.
As a precursor, let's add the idea that other devices are programmed to be just what they are; a dishwasher, a TV set, a robot constructing cars on a production line. I view these as 'closed' systems, they are what they are and are 'unconscious' of the outside world, their 'perception' limited to what they need to accomplish the job for which they were designed.
I like RJM's point: speaking as an utter layman, a system runs 'basic' routines. 'An AI system' runs other stuff as well, and 'learns'.
And so it can participate in the 'life' of others.
There's a whole theological debate, right there!
God is a property of the underlying tech. It's called love. God is not the tech, God is what powers the tech. Love powers the tech.
For man, it's about power/influence. There were two trees in the garden. One tree was the Handbook, the other was the Hackers' Guide. The Architect said, 'Stay away from the Hacker's Guide. There are inevitable effects you don't want to contemplate.' Did we listen? Did we ••••. 'Oh, if I can hack the system, I can run the system...'
Oh damn! This is a secular thread and I've gone all whoo-hoo. Sorry ...
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There's a whole philosophical debate, right there! There's life, and there's man's desire for power/influence, for control, for 'autonomy' in a non-autonomous system!