Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic. Since the turn of the century and before, people have been enamored with the idea of AI. Movies ranging from I, Robot to Terminator to A.I. demonstrate equal parts fascination and anxiety. Yet individuals are often confused as to what AI is and how we should think about it. For that reason, I am thankful to get to interview a close friend of mine: Eddy Wu. Eddy is currently a PhD student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Apologetics and Culture. Before his time at SEBTS, Eddy earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Louisiana State University. He has written on the topic of technology. He currently works as an IT Analyst at North Carolina State and has previously worked as an IT Operations Manager at SEBTS.
Chris: Eddy, could you begin by telling us a little about yourself, specifically your interaction with technology and AI?
Eddy: Certainly! I have always had an interest in technology. When I was younger, I would always tinker with our family’s home computer and various other electronics. My fascination with computers led me to earn my bachelor’s in electrical engineering from LSU. However, I felt the Lord calling me to seminary, and I enrolled at SEBTS to pursue an MDiv with an emphasis on Christian Apologetics. After finishing the MDiv, I started the PhD in Apologetics and Culture at SEBTS where my interest in technology was really ignited.
I began to wonder how Christians are approaching the topic of technology given the rapid progress and growth in that field. So, I started exploring how Christians have approached the topics of technology and AI, especially regarding theological, ethical, and philosophical questions. Thus, I have spent the last couple of years reading and thinking about how the Christian faith intersects with this new global technology.
Chris: What do you perceive to be the biggest misconception when it comes to AI?
Eddy: I think the biggest misconception concerns what AI actually is. There are two ways to classify AI. The first is weak or narrow AI where an AI system is focused on one specific task and cannot perform beyond its limitations. This form of AI can be as simple as an application on your phone or the Word processor on your computer. All computer/electronic systems today are considered narrow AI. The other classification is strong or general AI. This is the type of AI presented in movies where AI is so powerful it can think for itself and develop conscious thought. Currently, we have not been able to achieve strong/general AI.
I consider this to be the biggest misconception in the AI discussion because, if we are not clear about the type of AI we are talking about, we will miss the issues AI presents today. The issue is not whether we need to be afraid of conscious or human-like AI systems but rather how the current weak/narrow AI systems work and how these systems impact our perception of man and our daily lives.
A good perspective recognizes that AI is already present around us but not in the apocalyptic sense that movies depict.
Chris: What do you sense people often get wrong about AI?
Eddy: I think there are two things that people often get wrong about AI. The first I have mentioned above. The only AI that is currently available is the weak/narrow AI, and we are surrounded by this type of AI in all our devices.
The second is that people often attribute anthropomorphic characteristics to AI. For example, have you ever said, “My computer just isn’t feeling well today.” We unknowingly feed the implicit assumption that AI can develop human-like qualities and even become “human” one day.
Both confusions muddle the AI conversation. The first ignores the current capabilities and limitations of AI systems for fantastical assumptions without merit. The second reduces the unique the doctrine of the imago Dei in humanity to function. If AI can replicate (and even exceed) our consciousness and even our actions, then is there an ontological difference between humans and AI systems? Engaging in the AI conversation means having a robust understanding of who man is.
Chris: What do you feel is often left out of the conversation when Christians, or anyone for that matter, discusses AI?
Eddy: The biggest piece missing is a true understanding of what AI actually is. Here I am referring to the basic foundational knowledge of what a computer is and how programming works. I believe much of the public’s knowledge regarding technology comes from movies and television shows where creative liberties are taken that exaggerate the capabilities and function of computer technology. AI systems are often presented as overly powerful data-processing devices in the palms of the everyday user or given distinctly human-like qualities (think JARVIS in Ironman). When discussing the AI conversation, we need to be clear about what computers/AI can do rather than what it could do.
Chris: Are there specific ways in which Christians should think about AI?
Eddy: I think there are two specific ways that Christian should think about AI. First, we need to recognize that AI is built on the foundation of computer hardware and programming. As such, AI is nothing more than a tool like a car or a shovel is a tool. However, because AI has significantly more possibilities given its computer programming foundation, it will require more wisdom and understanding to master. But before Christians can begin to engage in discussions regarding AI usage, we must be clear that we understand what this technology is.
Second, Christians need to recognize that the AI conversation is far bigger and more complex than we may think. There can be a tendency to think we can engage questions of AI with simple theological or philosophical responses. This mindset is unwise since it assumes the whole of computer technology can be understood through minimal engagement with the technology itself. We certainly want to connect the Christian theological and ethical worldview to AI technology, but we cannot ignore the scale and complexities of AI technology.
As such, Christians who are not well-versed in the computer/AI field or lack a strong technical background (both educationally and vocationally) should seek to partner closely with engineers and computer scientists. An emphasis on an interdisciplinary partnership between theology/philosophy and engineering/computer science is necessary to address both sides of the discussion.
Chris: With the rise of things like ChatGPT, what should Christians be doing? What about Christian educators?
Eddy: The rise of applications like ChatGPT and others like DeepFakes or voice replication programs should cause Christians to hold tightly to truth. While an application like ChatGPT was not created with the purpose of deception (unlike DeepFakes or voice replicators), Christians must avoid presuming unsubstantiated truth to any digital product. In a world where clicks and virality reign, we cannot assume that the latest trending post is presenting the full truth.
For Christian educators, I think these applications pose a unique challenge. We cannot deny the reality that more students have smart devices in their hands at younger ages. This reality means that students have unfettered access to powerful AI applications. Christian educators must not only train students to think well biblically, ethically, and theologically, but also prepare students to thrive in this digital age. To do that, I will echo what I mentioned before that Christians must understand the basics of computer/AI technology. Even Christian educators require some background in technology to understand the digital context in which their students operate better.
Chris: What do you sense that Christians specifically get wrong about AI and maybe technology more broadly?
Eddy: I think Christians often mistake proficiency in technology usage with technological expertise. By “proficiency in technology usage,” I am referring to when someone uses his technology at a fast pace and the usage gives off the impression of expertise. Think about when a parent says something to the effect of, “Because my child can use his/her phone so much better than I can, they are the tech expert in our home.” Unfortunately, this optimism is usually misplaced because one’s ability to use his device quickly does not automatically denote expertise. It usually means the child has developed the muscle memory for how to get to the app they want. Technological expertise can give a good conjecture as to how the device and application works along with the developer’s intent.
Chris: If you are discipling a young Christian and this topic comes up, what are some words of advice that you might give? Further, how might you encourage pastors to help their congregants to think about this?
Eddy: I would encourage them to learn about technology eagerly. We should not view our technology as mysterious and magical black boxes. Rather, computer technology can be learned. The more you learn about this technology, the more confident you can be in your understanding of the technology. Additionally, I would encourage young Christians to lead the way in how Christians should approach the topic. However, this leading must be done in humility and patience. Asking older Christians to consider a new and rapidly changing technological field carefully is a big ask, and we must respect that technology is changing the culture for many people in ways they never thought possible.
For pastors, I would encourage them to admit humbly when they have reached their intellectual limit on the technology subject. Pastors should seek the expertise of those who work in the field and have written extensively on the subject. This practice can give a voice to those congregants who have strong technological backgrounds, and it helps them feel included in the conversation.
Also, pastors should take caution not simply to criticize technology. While there are certainly plenty of concerns regarding computer/AI technology, this digital tool is here to stay, and churches cannot ignore this new reality. Criticism without constructive solutions can alienate those who work or have interest in technology.
Chris: Eddy, thank you so much for taking time to discuss these important ideas.
Recommended Reading
- Broussard, Meredith. Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World.Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2019.
- Fry, Hannah. Hello World: Being Human in the Age of Algorithms.New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2019.
- Gay, Craig. Modern Technology and the Human Future: A Christian Appraisal.Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2018.
- Lennox, John. 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2020.
- Susskind, Daniel. A World Without Work: Technology, Automation, and How We Should Respond. London: Picador Paper, 2021.
About the Guest: Eddy Wu is a PhD student at SEBTS and is currently working as an IT Analyst with NC State. He loves working and learning about technology and video games.
Recent Comments