Technology

Discerning What Is Best
with Dr. Rex M. Rogers

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 17 May 2023

Now that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly developing in every sector of society, what concerns and cautions does this new technology present? How can we ensure that Artificial Intelligence systems are transparent, accountable, aligned with our values and goals as a society?

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #86 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field, and there have been significant advances in recent years, most recently making available to the public, ChatGPT, a general purpose AI system capable of understanding and generating responses on a wide range of topics, from science and technology to history, literature, religion, and more.

In seconds, ChapGPT – as well as a growing list of similar generative AI tools like JasperChat, Chat by Copy.ai, Chatflash AI, GrowthBar, Rytr Chat – is able to access a vast corpus of text data, including books, articles, and other sources of information, and is capable of generating complex and nuanced response to a wide variety of questions. These chatbots can be used to create new content from scratch, including marketing copies, audio files, code snippets, high-quality images, simulations, and videos.

AI sounds good, and in many ways it may be. Some of the key developments include:

Machine learning: Machine learning algorithms allow computers to learn from data and improve their performance over time.
Deep learning: Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that involves training artificial neural networks with large amounts of data. This approach has led to breakthroughs in image and speech recognition.
Robotics: Advances in robotics have enabled the development of autonomous vehicles, drones, and other machines that can perform complex tasks.
Natural language processing: a branch of AI that deals with the interactions between computers and human languages. This technology has led to the development of virtual assistants, chatbots, and other applications.
Computer vision: Computer vision is a field of AI that focuses on enabling computers to interpret and understand visual information from the world around them. This has led to breakthroughs in areas like facial recognition, object detection, and autonomous navigation.

Generative AI like ChatGPT might be the lowest, almost entry-level AI, seemingly not that threatening and only thus far making our workdays easier. What’s already out there, though, in terms of robotics, smart cars, military defense systems, healthcare, and much more is indeed fraught with a number of intimidating if not menacing potentials.

Despite these impressive advances, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed before AI can reach its full potential. The leading concerns and cautions include:

Identity Protection and Security in the face of Deep Fake AI capability that can now generate entirely believable audio/video presentations that make people say or do things they never said or did. This includes pornography.
Privacy and Security, or the ability of AI software to learn, remember, analyze, and make available individual private life decisions to corporations or governments.
Emerging capacity of machines to presumably develop emotions, control, spiritual sensitivity, moral reasoning. The concern is the possibility of AI becoming too powerful and threatening human autonomy, and thus, require religion to rethink what it means to be human.
Loss of jobs due to new technology and a consequent economic disruption.
The potential for AI to become uncontrollable and unpredictable, leading to unintended consequences.

At this point, we don’t know what we don’t know.

“The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) spent nine months working on “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles,” a document designed to equip the church with an ethical framework for thinking about this emergent technology.

“The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention issued the statement, Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles in April 2019. The document was published with the endorsement of sixty-five signatories.”

The AI Statement’s Preamble noted:

“As followers of Christ, we are called to engage the world around us with the unchanging gospel message of hope and reconciliation.

Tools like technology are able to aid us in this pursuit. We know they can also be designed and used in ways that dishonor God and devalue our fellow image-bearers. Evangelical Christians hold fast to the inerrant and infallible Word of God, which states that every human being is made in God’s image and thus has infinite value and worth in the eyes of their Creator. This message dictates how we view God, ourselves, and the tools that God has given us the ability to create.

In light of existential questions posed anew by the emergent technology of artificial intelligence (AI), we affirm that God has given us wisdom to approach these issues in light of Scripture and the gospel message. Christians must not fear the future or any technological development because we know that God is, above all, sovereign over history, and that nothing will ever supplant the image of God in which human beings are created.”

The Statement then lists 12 Articles or affirmations about AI based upon an Evangelical biblical worldview. Paraphrasing some points:

Human beings are made in the image of God and technology can never usurp this.
AI technology is good if used within the moral will of God, it must never be used to degrade human beings, and AI “cannot fulfill humanity’s ultimate needs.”
“While technology can be created with a moral use in view, it is not a moral agent. Humans alone bear the responsibility for moral decision making.”
AI should never be used to “violate the fundamental principle of human dignity for all people. Neither should AI be used in ways that reinforce or further any ideology or agenda, seeking to subjugate human autonomy under the power of the state.”
“We deny that the pursuit of sexual pleasure is a justification for the development or use of AI, and we condemn the objectification of humans that results from employing AI for sexual purposes.”
“We deny that AI should be used by governments, corporations, or any entity to infringe upon God-given human rights.”
“We deny that AI will make us more or less human, or that AI will ever obtain a coequal level of worth, dignity, or value to image-bearers.”

Jason Thacker, who headed the AI Statement of Principles project for ERLC, said, “’As Christians, we need to be prepared with a framework to navigate the difficult ethical and moral issues surrounding AI use and development,’ ‘This framework doesn’t come from corporations or government, because they are not the ultimate authority on dignity issues, and the church doesn’t take its cues from culture. God has spoken to us in his Word, and as his followers, we are to seek to love him and our neighbors above all things (Matt. 22:37-39).’”

As to AI, one might ask, What Would Jesus Do?

Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com.

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 15 May 2023

Have you thought about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on our society and economy, and how can we harness its potential while mitigating its risks and challenges? What ethical concerns arise with the development of AI technologies, and how can we ensure that these technologies are used in ways that promote human well-being and flourishing?

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #85 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.

Artificial Intelligence, AI as it’s called, is already nearly ubiquitous in American society, but most of us have probably been largely oblivious to it. AI helps robots build cars in Detroit, deliver your order within twenty-four hours from the Amazon distribution warehouse near you, and is in your face online and on television every day.

“The term artificial intelligence (AI) was coined in 1956 by the American computer scientist John McCarthy, who defines it as “getting a computer to do things which, when done by people, are said to involve intelligence.”

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being developed at exponential rates and it has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives. What’s put AI on the front page of our minds for many of us is the advent of the online generative AI tool called ChatGPT, available for free to the public since Nov 2022.

ChatGPT is the fastest growing app of all time. Now, anyone can get into the act, and the younger set have done just that – asking ChatGPT to write social media posts, contribute essay content for their homework, and generate original art and music.

AI has led to a number of positive and beneficial developments in recent years, including:

Improved healthcare: AI has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs by enabling more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and better disease prevention strategies.
Enhanced education: AI-powered educational tools can help students learn more effectively.
Increased efficiency: AI can help businesses and organizations automate routine tasks, increase productivity, and reduce operational costs.
Improved public safety: AI-powered surveillance systems can help prevent crime and improve emergency response times.
Enhanced scientific discovery: AI can be used to analyze vast amounts of data, enabling scientists to make new discoveries.
Personalized consumer experiences: AI can help companies better meet the needs and preferences of individual consumers.

But as with any technology, there are concerns as well:

Job displacement: As AI becomes more advanced, it’s potential to automate jobs makes it likely some individuals will no longer be needed, particularly in manufacturing, transportation, and customer services.
Privacy and security: As AI systems collect and analyze vast amounts of data, there is a risk that this data could be hacked or used for nefarious purposes. There are concerns about how AI systems may infringe on individual privacy rights. As AI systems collect vast amounts of personal data, this data can be used for nefarious purposes such as identity theft or targeted advertising. There is a risk that AI could be used for malicious purposes such as cyberattacks or even warfare. The development of autonomous weapons systems could lead to an arms race between nations and increase the likelihood of conflict.
Ethical considerations: issues related to transparency, fairness, morality, and human dignity.
Safety risks: AI systems can pose safety risks if they malfunction or are used inappropriately.

And there’s more: cheating – it is easier for students to turn in work that is not their own. AI could help destroy the arts and music, copyright issues,

Deep Fake videos that can make any person, any leader, look like they did or said something they did not. Use of AI in pornography – Deep Fake videos of famous people, sex robots, deployment of AI for malicious purposes, among them military, crime, and improper or governmental surveillance, and the ability to influence elections and thus a threat to democracy.

Mixed in the excitement for AI is an element of Transhumanism, “a philosophical and intellectual movement which advocates the enhancement of the human condition by developing and making widely available sophisticated technologies.” Transhumanism is science fiction come to life, humankind evolving to the next level.

A lot of concern about AI, at least in the movies, is AI running amok – Terminator, The Matrix, Ex Machina, I, Robot, Battlestar Gallactica, the mantra of the Borg on Star Trek: “resistance is futile,” Bladerunner. In these visions, AI is dystopian, about conflict, and an existential risk to human civilization.

Robots are already being integrated with religion. Can they provide counsel, help you pray, hear your confession? People use AI to amplify the good or bad things that we do, which creates questions about power and morally suspect applications.

There is a range of Christian perspectives on AI, but here are a few:

AI as a tool: Some Christians see AI as a neutral tool that can be used for good or evil, depending on how it is developed and deployed. They argue that Christians should be involved in the development of AI to ensure that it is used for the benefit of humanity and aligned with Christian values. AI could be used positively for Gospel influence, such as using AI in biblical translation.

AI as a threat: Others are more skeptical of AI, seeing it as a potential threat to human autonomy and dignity. They worry that AI could be used to replace human decision-making, or even lead to a dystopian future where machines rule over humans.
AI as a partner: Some Christians see AI as a potential partner in human endeavors, working alongside humans to achieve common goals. They see AI as a way to enhance human creativity, productivity, and well-being.
AI as a theological issue: Some Christians see AI as a theological issue, raising questions about the nature of humanity and our relationship with God. They argue that we need to carefully consider the ethical implications of AI and how it aligns with Christian beliefs about the dignity and value of human life.

“The questions that frequently arise in AI cover the range of philosophical questions: what is really real? (ontology), how do I know it? (epistemology), what is right and good? (ethics), and what does it mean to be human? (philosophical anthropology). The approach one takes to questions in AI is largely shaped by our philosophical presuppositions and our worldview…In the words of futurist Roy Amara, who coined Amara’s law: ‘We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.’ The future of AI is neither inevitable nor unstoppable. However, Christians will need to join the dialogue and be prepared to carry out our responsibility as we unfold these powerful new technologies.”

Historically, Christians have developed both arguments for and against technological change, and these apply once again with respect to AI:

For technological change include:

Technological progress is a reflection of God's creativity and is part of the divine plan for human progress.
Technological innovations can help to improve the quality of life and reduce human suffering.
The use of technology can be seen as a form of stewardship over the natural world, as humans are called to care for and responsibly use the resources God has provided.

Against technological change:

The pursuit of technological progress can lead to a dangerous arrogance and a rejection of humility and dependence on God.
Technology can be seen as a form of idolatry, as humans place their faith in technology rather than in God.
Technological advancements can lead to a loss of community and a breakdown in human relationships, as people become more isolated and disconnected from one another.
The use of technology can lead to a loss of human dignity and a devaluation of the natural world, as humans seek to control and dominate nature rather than working in harmony with it.
The rapid pace of technological change can lead to a loss of stability and a sense of purpose, as people become overwhelmed by the constant demands of new technologies.

As a Christian, I believe AI is a gift from God that can be used for good. AI has the potential to improve our lives in countless ways. However, we must also be mindful of the ethical implications of AI and ensure that it aligns with our values as Christians.

No one knows where AI is going, but it’s clear that Christians need to pay attention, learn, and evaluate now, not wait until something develops, we consider unconscionable. And by the way, unconscionable things have already developed.

This will not be my last podcast on AI. Much remains to be noted and evaluated.

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

Page 2 of 2