Artificial Intelligence

by Doy Moyer

Artificial Intelligence…

Doesn’t think about you.
Doesn’t lose sleep over you.
Doesn’t care about you.
Doesn’t love you.
Has no conscience or moral awareness.
Feels and bears no guilt.
Has no responsibility as a thinking creature.
Maintains no personal commitment to truth.
Has no personal integrity.
Is not a personal entity.

Nor should we expect any of these things to be true for AI.

It has its place. It is a wonder of humanity’s ability to create, as we mirror God’s creative nature. It can fast-track work, expedite and process, streamline, and gather incredible amounts of information. There is legitimate, honest work that AI can help us with, and we can use it to the glory of God. Let’s do that.

But when we use it to cheat or plagiarize, we are dishonest and lack personal integrity, and we need to repent. AI need not repent, for it cannot.

Is this really happening? Of course it is. I have seen multiple ads for AI apps that will write school papers for students in seconds. Then, an ad will say that if you are worried about getting caught using AI for writing essays, just submit that to “this” program, and it will make things sound normal, even sound like you. And are you worried about taking tests? There are AI apps for that, too. Click over the question with the app open, and voila, you have your answer. No need to study. Just let it do it all for you. And there goes integrity, honesty, and personal education. As an educator, I know this has been happening in other ways. But AI, as you know, is a game changer and makes it that much easier to do right… or wrong.

When we use AI to bypass personal critical thinking, we cheat ourselves and others who deserve the best of our minds. Most of all, we rob God of making the most of the minds He has given us. AI is no substitute for knowing the truth, thinking properly, and making discerning decisions. AI won’t stand in judgment before the Lord. But you will.

AI cannot love God with all its heart, soul, strength, and mind. It cannot love its neighbor as itself. It has no soul, independent mind, or accountability to God. Don’t conflate it with humanity made in God’s image.

Use it for what it can do while making sure we stay within the will of God, the need for integrity, and the need to develop our own minds to God’s glory and purposes.

Cut it off when thinking of using it for dishonest purposes. Don’t let it dehumanize you. No matter how human it seems or sounds, it is not the soul for which Christ died. You are, and you are of more value than every AI engine, computer, or machine combined.

We are not mere machines or brains in a vat. We are made in God’s image, and that is something only God can make.

AI has its proper uses, but like anything else (internet, anyone?), its abuses can rob us of our souls. Take hold of it now and determine to act before God with humility, integrity, and love.