The growing presence of artificial intelligence in society
For some people, they love it. Others are afraid of it. Where do you sit?
Over the last few weeks, I have been watching news stories about people paying for their shopping just by placing their hands over a card reader. It seems that they have some form of microchip embedded into their skin which means that they don’t need to carry cash or cards.
Wherever they go, they have their method of payment built in. How weird is that?
As AI continues to evolve and become part of our everyday lives, it raises questions about ethics, humanity, and the role of faith as we manoeuvre our way into the future.
For people of faith, the use of AI isn’t merely a matter of technological progress, it is also a reflection of some deeper truths.
Central to the Christian faith is the belief in the inherent dignity and value of every human being, created in the image of God. As such, any development in AI must be approached with a commitment to upholding this fundamental understanding.
When I was younger, I remember watching two specific films, ‘I, Robot’ and ‘AI: Artificial Intelligence’, and found myself thinking how exciting the future was going to be.
However, away from humanoid robots, with technology becoming so small, is there a chance that AI is spying upon us in everything we do? Will we ever have private lives again?
AI has been with us for decades, whether in factories building cars or in filling tins of soup. And its presence has definitely expanded the boundaries of human knowledge and medicine.
AI is with us and it is here to stay. But technology has always progressed, and with all of its life-enhancing benefits, I would say that it is but one part of God’s ongoing work in the world.
Today, as always, we should live our lives as Jesus intended; to the full. And as the world continues to change, we should not be afraid of AI.
We should be proactive participants in its use, ensuring that its development aligns with the values of the Kingdom of God; providing a future marked by justice, peace, and flourishing for all.
