Unless you’ve been living under a rock for a while, no doubt you've heard something about Artificial Intelligence – AI. Here's a simple definition, gleaned from online (which no doubt was written by AI): “Artificial intelligence is a field of science concerned with building computers and machines that can reason, learn, and act in such a way that would normally require human intelligence or that involves data whose scale exceeds what humans can analyze.”
AI can be a very valuable tool to humanity in so many ways, such as in the area of medical research, with daily tasks like summarizing business meetings, crunching numbers for scientific endeavors, and helping to modify poorly taken photos. But, as with all things on this out-of-whack planet, it can also be easily weaponized by sinful people. If AI begins to think for itself, it just might conclude that humankind, you and I, are no longer needed. Since technology is involved in all areas of our lives from power grids, to finances, to automobiles, to hospital equipment, to water supplies, to weapon systems… we would be in big trouble!
So, here’s what I’m getting to: In our day-to-day lives, AI is now causing many things to be questioned, making us wonder what's truth, and what's real. It's getting so good that we really can't be sure if a photo, video, song, artwork, interview, article, or anything online was created by or manipulated by AI. This is a problem. How can you be sure what's fact and reality?
So, here’s specifically what I’m pondering and what my little brain has recently been processing: Could this actually be a very good thing for relationships and the Church? Why? Because, more than ever, face-to-face communication will be one of the most trusted sources of information we can possess. The ancient, proven, and time-lived truths–such as the Bible–just might be perceived by the masses as even more needed, dependable, and trustworthy.
This could mean that our gathering together for worship, Sunday School, small groups, and one-on-one for coffee could become more valuable than ever. After all, we can be sure these times together haven't been artificially filtered or the content manipulated. Listening to the preacher live, accurately teaching from a proven ancient document–God’s Word–will be a much more trusted source of communication. In this post-modern, increasingly AI-infused world, God’s Word and going to church just might be more important than any time in history. Hmmmm… something to ponder. (Hebrews 10:24-25, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12)
Peace,
steve
PS – Be happy. God is ultimately in control.
AI can be a very valuable tool to humanity in so many ways, such as in the area of medical research, with daily tasks like summarizing business meetings, crunching numbers for scientific endeavors, and helping to modify poorly taken photos. But, as with all things on this out-of-whack planet, it can also be easily weaponized by sinful people. If AI begins to think for itself, it just might conclude that humankind, you and I, are no longer needed. Since technology is involved in all areas of our lives from power grids, to finances, to automobiles, to hospital equipment, to water supplies, to weapon systems… we would be in big trouble!
So, here’s what I’m getting to: In our day-to-day lives, AI is now causing many things to be questioned, making us wonder what's truth, and what's real. It's getting so good that we really can't be sure if a photo, video, song, artwork, interview, article, or anything online was created by or manipulated by AI. This is a problem. How can you be sure what's fact and reality?
So, here’s specifically what I’m pondering and what my little brain has recently been processing: Could this actually be a very good thing for relationships and the Church? Why? Because, more than ever, face-to-face communication will be one of the most trusted sources of information we can possess. The ancient, proven, and time-lived truths–such as the Bible–just might be perceived by the masses as even more needed, dependable, and trustworthy.
This could mean that our gathering together for worship, Sunday School, small groups, and one-on-one for coffee could become more valuable than ever. After all, we can be sure these times together haven't been artificially filtered or the content manipulated. Listening to the preacher live, accurately teaching from a proven ancient document–God’s Word–will be a much more trusted source of communication. In this post-modern, increasingly AI-infused world, God’s Word and going to church just might be more important than any time in history. Hmmmm… something to ponder. (Hebrews 10:24-25, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12)
Peace,
steve
PS – Be happy. God is ultimately in control.