God so Loved the World that He Gave His Son: The greatest Spiritual battle ever fought – part fifty-eight
The other day as we were chatting in the lobby after church, a friend made the comment that Artificial Intelligence is the issue that we should be the most apprehensive about. As if we don’t have enough to be alarmed about! I have been hearing a lot about the concerns of AI, Artificial Intelligence. If you are like me you, you’re not even sure what AI is, so I looked up the definition:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that deals with the creation of intelligent machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. It is the application of rapid data processing, machine learning, predictive analysis, and automation to simulate intelligent behavior and problem-solving capabilities with machines and software. The goal of AI is to create algorithms and systems that can learn from data, reason, make predictions, and take actions.
So what is so scarry about that you ask? Well… it’s difficult enough to distinguish between what is true and what is false nowadays, without throwing in a machine that can imitate a human being! When I say it can imitate a human being, did you fully grasp the implications of a machine being able to “simulate intelligent behavior and problem-solving” as stated in the definition??? We’re talking about a machine that can learn, reason, make predictions, and take actions! I would add that those actions could be for Good or “Heaven forbid” for Evil if falling into the hands of an evil person!!! Believe me when I say that evil people will rush to get their hands on that kind of power!
You might be wondering if the Bible has anything to say about Artificial Intelligenceor anything resembling AI. Check out this passage in Romans, and see if it sounds like what a person from over 2000 years ago might determine about a computer of today?
Romans 1:21–23 (NLT)
21Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
Are we at the risk of making the computer with AI an idol??? This passage in Revelation sounds pretty scary to me! What do you think? Are we moving into the time where Bible prophecy could be immerging right before our eyes?
Revelation 13:13–15 (MSG)
13This second Beast worked magical signs, dazzling people by making fire come down from Heaven. 14It used the magic it got from the Beast to dupe earth dwellers, getting them to make an image of the Beast that received the deathblow and lived. 15It was able to animate the image of the Beast so that it talked, and then arrange that anyone not worshiping the Beast would be killed.
So… what do we need to do to prepare for the eventuality that Artificial Intelligence could begin to interfere with our lives, especially with our Christian lives? Stay in the Word, pray, and hold fast to Christ!
Colossians 2:6–9 (MSG)
6My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. 7You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well-constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. 8Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. 9Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without Him.
Let’s add “computers with Artificial Intelligence” to that list of things that are not required to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. Praise the Lord!!!