From time to time I approach an intersection that is normally busy. Sometimes there is minimal traffic, and the lights change to accommodate my arrival at the intersection. For instance, if I am in a turn lane, the traffic lights change, allowing me to proceed. The electronic monitoring system registered my presence, and the absence of other traffic, and made an intelligent decision. That was a display of artificial intelligence.
The same thing is true when I am using my computer or smartphone. I am about to write something, and the device completes it for me. The device attempts to correct my spelling and acts as though another brain is working with me. That was another display of artificial intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the capability of robots and computer systems to carry out operations that would typically require human intelligence. AI algorithms (set of instructions for solving a problem or accomplishing a task) allow machines to learn from data and make predictions or choices based on that data/information.
As a rapidly evolving technology, AI has the potential to transform various industries. One such AI technology that has gained attention in recent years is ChatGPT, a sophisticated natural language processing tool that can generate human-like responses to text-based conversations.
In his recent volume on AI Technology, my friend Dr Sheldon Campbell shows where “AI has revolutionized various industries with its advanced applications, making them more efficient and productive”. For instance, “… in the healthcare industry, AI is used for personalized medicine, clinical decision support, and disease diagnosis”.
Dr Campbell further argues, that “the introduction of AI technology presents both benefits and challenges.” Some of these challenges include job displacement, data privacy and the possibility of biased decision-making.
Elly Kroll (The ChatGPT Handbook…), agrees that AI (ChatGPT) is not perfect and can generate responses that are inappropriate or irrelevant. “This is because AI relies solely on the patterns and relationships it has learned from its training data and may not always accurately capture the nuances of human communication.”
AI systems can also make decisions that are prejudiced or discriminating. For this reason, Dr Campbell believes “it is important to consider the ethical and moral implications of AI and make sure that it is created and applied in a way that is sustainable and responsible”. But who will ensure the implementation of ethical guidelines for the use of AI?
As recent as January 2023, the Catholic Church hosted leaders of the Jewish and Islamic faiths. They were signatories to the Rome Call for AI Ethics. The Vatican City meeting included the Pope and executives from Microsoft and IBM. That meeting and other high level church discussions confirm that if not controlled, AI could be cause of serious moral challenges.
Academic papers can be easily compromised. Even sermon preparation can succumb to the trap of expedience. Dr Campbell cites the case of Todd Brewer, a New Testament scholar. He requested ChatGPT to write a Christmas sermon for him. He asked for a sermon based on Luke’s birth narrative, with quotations from Karl Barth, Martin Luther, Irenaeus of Lyon, and Barack Obama. Surprisingly, ChatGPT created a sermon that met his criteria.
Todd Brewer said that the sermon was better than several Christmas sermons he had heard over the years. He even added that AI seemed to understand what makes the birth of Jesus genuinely good news. This experiment shows how ChatGPT can be used in the religious context to generate thought-provoking content.
Others have attempted to use AI as a means to find answers to questions like – What is the meaning of life? and Does God exist? It is only a matter of time before other questions like how one becomes a Christian will surface. The answer will not be coming from the Bible, but from data bases created by a variety of religious sources. In other words, who needs the Bible when answers are available from more diverse sources?
Furthermore, who needs to spend twenty hours preparing for a twenty-minute sermon, when AI could do the research and provide a sermon in seconds? Although useful in many areas, AI can and will posit major challenges in the development of our faith. Maturing in our faith is a process, empowered by the Holy Spirit and not a diversity of data bases.
Artificial intelligence is already here and will continue to develop. However, AI can only produce reliable conclusions, based on reliable information available in data bases. For that reason, AI outcomes should not replace the reliability of the Scriptures or our understanding of trust in an infallible God.
7 comments:
This is an interesting topic since my expertise and experience is in Information Technology working for major corporations. Unfortunately, the fate of humanity and how we process information and make decisions will be determined by who controls the algorithms of AI. AI will be embedded in every aspect of our lives within the next few years; You will see it in healthcare, education, pharmaceutical, food processing, media and professional services. The forces against having a biblical worldview will be ever more increasing. We must wake up from our slumber and take heed of the subversion. This spiritual battle is a real and present danger. The question is how will bible-believing-Christians engage in it? I believe the answer is found in Ephesians 6.
A very informative article. It has opened my eyes to the endless possibility of knowledge. I find it even more profound that it fulfills scripture, “ knowledge shall increase” God made this possible when he created Adam and gave him his life.
Knowledge comes from God.
I remember the animated flick, "Wall-E," which depicted a future of humanity where humans were blind to the effects of their own creation that made life so easy, that they forgot their need for exercise, almost lost the ability to walk, and were all obese from lying around all day. This came to mind as I explored ChatGPT on a number of tasks, including sermon preparation, poetry writing, and developing content re: Caribbean Theology (which it was abysmal at right now but is learning). It was amazing, and largely accurate.
I am concerned, however, as your blog suggested, that many will use the technology inappropriately, disrupting tasks that are essential for our slow development and Christian maturity. In our instant results world, maturity takes time. Instant intellectual results re: Bible reading, for instance, cannot replace the experiential lessons of seeing the Bible's truths operational in our lives.
Like many other human developments, however, Christians will make use of AI, but we must push for ethical guidelines, and celebrate its successes. But we must be there to warn of the downside, and guide our people into the best use of technology, lest a Wall-E existence becomes our reality in the not too distant future.
Thanks for your insightful and accurate response. Let us keep the conversation going until more believers become aware of the opportunities and challenges in Artificial Intelligence.
The AI revolution will continue to and has provided much good. Undoubtedly, there is another side to consider. It will challenge the faith of many Christians.
Scriptures is our reference point and the basis of our knowledge. How precious it is that we are not left without hope. I love the biblical reference of Ephesian 6.
As always, very insightful and instructive discourse. Pastor Corbin, for sharing.
*thanks for sharing*
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