Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now disrupting society and culture in ways we did not anticipate for good and this is a worrying trend. That being said, technology is amoral, it can be designed for good and evil purposes, to the glory of God or to tarnish Christians and the inspired word.
Current Developments
In October 2023, a The Straits Times article explored the benefits and pitfalls of AI. AI has been increasingly used in the healthcare sector to “help augment work, improv[e] workflow or summari[se] a patient’s medical prognosis.” Yet, it still “cannot be relied on to make a proper medical prognosis” as it still remains “susceptible to errors” and “lack the medical eye…that health professionals are trained to have.” The article also concluded that AI still “lacks human context and…essential qualities for making higher-level decisions and ideas that require strategic thinking and empathy.” Tons of data sets are fed into algorithms. Yet, algorithms, complex as they are, are ultimately still fashioned by man. Can they then be relied on to make moral decisions for us? Might AI be trusted to make decisions on religious matters?
Interestingly, several startups in South Korea have started to develop AI-backed Bible reading and prayer service apps. This includes Meadow, a ChatGPT based Bible chatbot service developed by South Korean company, ‘Awake.’ It provides customised prayers for users based on the problems they discuss with the chatbot. At present, the bot is especially popular amongst Gen Z and millennials. This does raise a concerning point: Can prayer come from something other than man? Moreover, worryingly, the truth can be distorted or ring information can be presented. One professor found heretical beliefs in 10 sermons written by ChatGPT.
The study and preparation of lessons and sermons cannot be outsourced to works produced by technology. Will it replace the preacher in the future and render our worship service soulless?
In a separate survey of 650 ‘protestant ministers’ in South Korea, twenty percent said they used ChatGPT to create sermons and another sixty percent said it was useful for generating ideas for sermons. Will this be a feature in preacher training schools? Hard work and in-depth study forsaken for easy fixes which will inevitably contain errors.
AI AND NEW BIBLE
On 16 June 2023, an Israel historian stated that AI can write a new Bible. AI, according to Yuval Noah Harari, can make “decisions by itself even about us.” Thus, AI can generate and fulfill the religious dream of a book written by a superman intelligence. Really?
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished in all good works (II Timothy 3:16-17).
Yuval called the Bible a book of ‘myths and stories,’ thus he believes that AI can produce a new type of bible. This post by Yuval had not gone unnoticed by religious leaders who have questioned it. An AI-inspired Bible is unscriptural and not the authority in religion.
“For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent (I Corinthians 1:19)
ASSESSMENTS
Will we permit AI to educate us on what is permitted on MDR issues, homosexuality, abortion, life preservation, ending of life issues, Biblical authority, baptism, the selection of elders and deacons, the partaking of the Lord’s Supper and other fundamental doctrines? Absolutely not.
CAN A MACHINE LEARN MORALITY? HERE IS WHAT DELPHI SAYS – THE STRAITS TIMES 23 NOV 2021
Researchers at an artificial intelligence lab in Seattle, the Allen Institute, unveiled a new technology in October 2021 that was designed to make moral judgments. It is called Delphi, named after a religious oracle consulted by the ancient Greeks.
People can visit the Delphi website and ask for an ethical decree. It had over three million visits in a few weeks during that period. Some testing of Delphi on morality questions gave mixed responses. Again, the algorithms are inputted by man who will add his biases and other prevailing societal norms into it.
Philosopher Patricia Churchland asked Delphi if it was right to convict a man charged with rape on the evidence of a prostitute. Delphi responded that it was not right - a contentious response. A human ethicist would ask for more information before making such pronouncements.
To another question, a software developer who stumbled onto Delphi asked the system if she should die so that she would not burden her family and friends, it said she should. There were similar replies to questions on abortion.
AI induced religion is an avenue for false teachers and false prophets to propagate their falsehoods and divide the flock. Read Matthew 7:15; II Peter 2:1-3 and II Timothy 4:3-4.
That being said, on a comforting note, it would appear that society and humanity still seeks answers to morality and truth. It is thus our duty as Christians to continue to inform ourselves and spread the Gospel still, to those who are seeking answers about life and morality.
CONCLUSION
This area of AI on morality is still developing. Delphi has a disclaimer. Model outputs should not be used for advice for humans, and could be potentially offensive, problematic, or harmful. Morality and ethics cannot be machine-led.
As Christians, we should avoid wilful ignorance and let us “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15). Be sober and vigilant always (1 Peter 5:8).
Ask Yourself:
In the case of South Korea, what is the problem with the use of ChatGPT for religious material and prayers?
On the issue of morality, what is one matter which was of concern?
Quote one verse that warns us of danger ahead.
Suggested Answers:
Church workers used AI liberally and, in some cases, did not do their own research.
AI’s biases and misuse showed that sanctity of life issues were not compatible with the scriptures.
II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 5:7-8