AI… And the Unclean Ghost in the Machine
Now, in the third decade of the Twenty First Century, the technology of man has brought us to the threshold of thinking and reasoning machines. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as “the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.” The advancement of AI has been breathtakingly fast. As noted by Grandview Research, the global artificial intelligence market size was valued at $136.55 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.3% from 2023 to 2030.
Recent applications like ChatGPT and Midjourney AI are being embraced enthusiastically. Artificial intelligence represents a sea change in the world of communications. Just as the introduction of the codex, the printing press, the typewriter, the word processor and the computer made written texts faster and easier to produce and distribute, AI stands to revolutionize the processing of information on a level heretofore imagined only in science fiction… including visual arts and video production.
As with virtually every invention of mankind, there is great potential for AI to be misused for evil, malicious purposes.
AI systems can be a tool for great good, but also can be used to further existing biases and discrimination. They are only as unbiased as the data they are programmed with. This can result in unintended or nefarious consequences, like biased decisions in areas such as politics, theology and criminal justice. If people are led to believe they are receiving material from a neutral, objective point of reference, they can be easily manipulated and misled, even by the information that is being withheld from them.
From a spiritual standpoint, another danger presents itself. The Bible clearly teaches that the world is under the curse of sin and deception, driven by Satan and his demonic host. Since the fall of man in the garden, lies and deception have been their main mode of attack (John 8:44). They attack the hearts and minds of people, either through external thought or internal possession… even through the possession of creatures (2 Corinthians 11:3). They are cunning, and can use devices as well, as the Ouija Board’s history has shown.
Which brings us to the topic of AI. It can be abused badly enough by evil and unprincipled men. How much more could it be internally manipulated by principalities, powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12)? The most advanced and technically complex systems we could ever even conceive of would be child’s play for these fallen angels to master.
ChatGPT already has given false or misleading information regarding Jesus Christ and Biblical teachings. The lies and distortions wrought by direct real-time demonic communication would be powerfully deceptive to those expecting a merely human compilation of information.
In Revelation 13:14-15 we read that the Antichrist’s False Prophet will be “...telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” Will this image of the Antichrist be animated by AI technology? Only time will tell, but never before in history has man had the capability to bring much of this prophecy’s details into reality as we now have reached.
Time is short. “...the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:12. Now is the time to be saved and be right with God! As always, tomorrow is not promised us, but His mercy, grace and forgiveness IS promised… if we act before it is too late. We must:
Believe... That Jesus is all the Bible teaches Him to be
Admit... That we are guilty and cannot save ourselves
Repent... Change our mind about sin and reject it
Receive JESUS CHRIST as Lord and Savior by Faith!
Faith is "Deep Abiding Trust"
Hebrews 11:6 Romans 10:9 Acts 3:19 John 1:12
Don't Die Guilty!