Keiichi Matsuda wrote this manifesto of sorts arguing that the right metaphor for Augmented reality is basically animism. Because AR is about extending existing places and objects, it makes sense to represent those augmentations by local agents. The notion of an agent (perhaps idiosyncratic, vindictive, self-interested) located in a stone or a fountain is Shinto-esque. Keiichi casts this unruly polytheism in contrast to a monotheistic "Siri" etc.
In a shallow sense it's just another way of talking about the sort of agent-based computing ideas that Maes et al introduced decades ago, but the connection to animism is awfully evocative.
Unlike today’s virtual assistants, the gods of KamiOS are not all-knowing or all-powerful. They are limited, fallible, and have different agendas and loyalties. There is no pretence that these gods can answer any question you ask of them.
Q. What unusual metaphor does Keiichi advocate for computing in augmented reality?
A. Animism: local, contextual spirits with different personalities, backgrounds, interests
Q. In KamiOS, what is the fate of buttons and menus?
A. They’re replaced by gods, who may listen to you speak or act without your input (based on observing your routines / interest).
Q. How does Keiichi’s vision for the agents in KamiOS differ from that of typical big tech companies?
A. It’s polytheistic: many gods, not a single all-powerful prophet (“Siri”). You can banish spirits you don’t get along with and recruit others.