Reflections on an AI Deep Dive

Some quick thoughts after an intense few months exploring artificial intelligence.

Last week, I published a mammoth post exploring “Guidelines for Church Leadership in an Increasingly AI-driven World.” You can also read it by clicking here:

The purpose of the study was to explore AI’s history and some of the potential impacts on society in order that we—the Church—might be able to discern how artificial intelligence might impact the church both practically and theologically. With those foundations in place, I proposed, we could then begin to explore how church leaders might shepherd their flocks through these dramatic changes.

If you can spare the time, I’d love to encourage you to read the full paper, but if not, here’s a brief summary of its conclusions:

THE BRIEFEST SUMMARY OF THE PAPER

• Thesis: Artificial Intelligence gives church leaders a unique opportunity to leverage its benefits as a valuable tool. However, successful implementation will require a deliberate approach characterized by prayerful discernment, multifaceted ethical considerations, and proactive preparedness to address concerning and potentially existential challenges.

• In other words: There are lots of opportunities with AI, but in order to apply it well, church leaders will need to pray, wrestle with ethical challenges, and prepare now for what might come, because neglecting to do so may result in world-changing issues.

THE SLIGHTLY LESS BRIEF SUMMARY

The History Part

• The history of Artificial Intelligence reveals that the questions with which we are currently wrestling are not new. In fact, while the idea has been around for millennia, the actual technological thinking that underpinned AI began around 100 years ago.

• Concepts like universality, intelligence explosions (superintelligence) and even transhumanism have been in play for over 70 years; these are not simply “fads” or the result of scaremongering.

• Since 2012, the rate at which the quality of artificial intelligence improves is rapidly increasing, and interest in the concept exploded with the release of Open AI’s ChatGPT in November 2022.

The Society Part

• If artificial intelligence achieves AGI (artificial general intelligence), we will see dramatic shifts in the way our world functions.

• If artificial intelligence achieves superintelligence, the world will change in ways we cannot even fathom. In the worst-case scenario, a superintelligence may destroy humanity as we know it.

• The utilization of AI could eradicate poverty or greatly exacerbate it. It is unlikely to stay the same. Humans may not need to work or may not be able to work because artificial intelligence has replaced them.

• AI has the power to vastly affect education, politics, communication, relationships, warfare, and healthcare. At its most extreme, humans will continue to dabble with bio-technology, and AI will help transhumanists in their mission to transcend human bodies, utilizing AI to create a sort of digital existence.

• This raises lots of ethical questions. AI systems are not biased as they tend to reflect the proclivities of their creators. They are “black boxes,” which means it’s almost impossible to understand how a complex AI system arrived at its conclusion. And it’s similarly challenging to know when an ANI (Artificial Narrow Intelligence) becomes an AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and when an AGI becomes a superintelligence.

The Church Part

• Practically, there are lots of areas in which artificial intelligence can help churches.

• Worship leaders, preachers, church planters, administrators, teachers, and volunteers may find myriad ways to increase productivity, creativity, evangelism, and the discipleship of their congregations.

• However, there are many theological, philosophical and ethical questions to consider.

  • Transhumanism offers a false gospel and a counterfeit hope, with notable echoes of gnostic heresies.

  • Believers are made in God’s image, and called to steward Creation well. We must also provide for the poor and pursue justice, recognize the reality of work as a blessing from the Lord, and avoid idolatry—all of which are important considerations as AI develops.

The Seven Imperatives

• In light of the above considerations, I propose seven “imperatives” for church leaders in the coming years:

  • Prioritize relationship, community, and pastoral care

  • Preemptively foster congregational resilience

  • Build adaptability into church structures

  • Embrace positive technological developments

  • Stay informed in a rapidly changing environment

  • Proactively pray for God-given wisdom

  • Keep an undistracted focus on the mission of the church

Reflections on the Paper

So, with the paper summarised, here are three reflections after the first three months of diving into the world of artificial intelligence:

Firstly, I am concerned that Christians are not exploring artificial intelligence with the level of interest they should.

There is certainly a degree to which artificial intelligence is scary and to which there is undue “hype” in places. However, the issues are real, and the consensus is there. Whether in five years, or two decades, the incoming changes are genuine. We can either preempt them or be swept away by them.

Secondly, I think artificial intelligence will (eventually) create a thirst for objective truth.

It seems that trust towards most governments is not particularly high in a post-COVID world, but I feel the temptation for governments to abuse AI is too high. As a result, I think trust will decrease even further, and, along with increasing levels of AI-produced disinformation and weakening social structures, society will become desperate for objective truth. It may take a while—perhaps even a generation or two—but at some point, I believe the pendulum will swing, and the desire for logical reasoning and objective truth will cause people to wrestle with faith in a fresh way. As a result, although it might not seem like it now, I believe the negative effects of AI will lead to a revival of faith. When? We’ll have to wait and see.

Thirdly, I believe AI will (eventually) reveal intense relational deficits, particularly in Generation Z and beyond.

It’s one thing to initiate a relationship (and even marriage) with an AI character; it’s another to expect that relationship to have any real value or qualitative meaning. Younger generations have only ever known a ubiquitous digital world where they can participate, and countless studies show how detrimental this has been. I predict that AI will first draw people deeper into the digital abyss, pulled further into the darkness in much the same way a grotesque deep sea angler fish draws its prey for a meal. However, at some point, I think many people will sense the futility of these AI-produced relationships and seek the real thing. And I believe that—if we keep a strong focus on our mission at the Church—we can provide genuine relationships in a way that nowhere else can.

What do you think?

Do these reflections cover all of my thoughts on AI? No, not even close. But these are some of the issues at the forefront of my mind right now. I’d love to hear what you think. Either leave a comment below or send me an email - I so appreciate all of the responses I receive to these articles.

UPDATES: A book? A Seminar?

Last week, I officially started work on a book! I’m using the content from The Church and AI as the foundation, and the first chapter is almost complete. It won’t be a fast process; I’m working on it in my spare time, which means many more late nights and early mornings. What I’d love are a few willing volunteers so I can send chapter drafts for feedback. Is that you? I’d love to hear from you.

I have also been really humbled by the fact that several churches/church leaders have expressed interest in me running a seminar of sorts addressing some of these issues. It’s not something I’d previously given much thought to, but I’d certainly be open to the idea if there is enough interest. If you have a small group or church that is interested in me hosting a seminar on AI and the Church (in person or on Zoom), let me know!

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Are there any issues you’d like the Church and AI to address? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts!