In our increasingly fast-paced world, it can be hard to keep up with the innovations around us. The term “Artificial Intelligence,” or AI, has been tossed around in news headlines, workplace discussions, and even casual conversations at church. But for many, especially those of us who remember a time before computers were household staples, AI can feel like an abstract concept shrouded in mystery—and sometimes, fear.
It’s not uncommon for people to approach AI with hesitation. What is it, exactly? How does it work? And perhaps most importantly, what impact will it have on our lives, our communities, and the moral fabric of society? These are valid questions, and they deserve thoughtful answers.
Let’s explore AI together, not as something to fear, but as a tool—a gift, even—that, when used responsibly, has the potential to uplift humanity and further God’s work on Earth.
What is AI, Really?
At its core, Artificial Intelligence refers to machines or software systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. These tasks include understanding language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and even generating creative ideas. Think of it like this: AI is a tool, much like the plow or the printing press, created to assist humanity in managing complex challenges.
AI is not a “thinking being” or a substitute for the divine spark of human creativity and morality. It does not have agency, emotions, or the ability to choose between right and wrong. Instead, it functions like an extremely powerful calculator or assistant, capable of processing vast amounts of information far faster than any one person could.
The Good AI Can Do
1. Advancing Medical Science
One of the most inspiring uses of AI is in medicine. Researchers are using AI to develop treatments for diseases that have puzzled humanity for centuries. For example, AI systems can analyze medical scans with astonishing accuracy, often detecting early signs of conditions like cancer long before traditional methods. This means lives saved, families spared heartbreak, and the alleviation of suffering—surely a reflection of God’s mercy.
AI is also helping develop new medicines. What used to take decades of trial and error can now be achieved in years or even months. These breakthroughs are allowing scientists to tackle rare diseases and create customized treatments tailored to individual patients.
2. Improving Daily Life
Many of us already use AI without even realizing it. Voice assistants like Siri or Alexa can help us find information, set reminders, or play a favorite hymn. Navigation apps use AI to guide us safely through unfamiliar areas. AI even powers tools that can help us stay connected with loved ones, like automatic translation services or video call enhancements.
Imagine the elderly widow who can now connect with her family through easy-to-use AI-powered devices, or the struggling student who finds a tutor in the form of an AI language-learning app. These small miracles add up to significant blessings.
3. Protecting the Environment
AI is being used to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. From predicting weather patterns and managing natural disasters to optimizing renewable energy sources, AI is helping us become better stewards of God’s creation.
For instance, AI-driven systems can monitor deforestation, track wildlife populations, and even suggest ways to reduce energy consumption in our homes. These innovations remind us of our responsibility to care for the Earth and all of God’s creatures.
4. Helping Spread Knowledge
Think back to the printing press and the way it revolutionized access to the scriptures. Before its invention, only a privileged few had access to written copies of sacred texts. Today, AI is enabling a similar democratization of knowledge.
AI-powered translation tools are helping bring scriptures and educational materials to remote parts of the world where language barriers once seemed insurmountable. AI can also create personalized learning experiences, ensuring that individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have opportunities to grow intellectually and spiritually.
Addressing Concerns
“But isn’t AI dangerous?”
Like any powerful tool, AI can be misused. Just as a knife can be used to prepare food or cause harm, the key lies in how we choose to use the technology. This is where moral responsibility and accountability come into play.
Governments, companies, and communities must work together to establish ethical guidelines and safeguards for AI development and deployment. Open discussions about the proper use of AI can ensure that this technology aligns with humanity’s best interests.
We, as people of faith, have an essential role to play. By advocating for values like fairness, compassion, and accountability, we can help shape the direction of AI so that it serves, rather than harms, humanity.
“Won’t AI replace human jobs?”
It’s true that AI will change the way we work. But rather than replacing human labor, AI often enhances it. Many jobs today are repetitive or physically demanding, and AI can take on these tasks, freeing people to focus on work that requires creativity, empathy, and leadership—qualities unique to humans.
For instance, AI might handle administrative paperwork, giving teachers more time to engage with students. Or it might automate repetitive factory tasks, allowing workers to transition to roles in programming, maintenance, or design. History shows us that new technologies often create as many opportunities as they disrupt.
“Could AI become too powerful?”
AI is not self-aware, nor does it have independent will. It operates according to the instructions and data it receives from humans. While stories of rogue AI systems make for exciting science fiction, the reality is that AI remains firmly under human control.
Moreover, as stewards of this technology, it is our duty to approach its development with wisdom and humility. We must ensure that AI serves humanity’s highest purposes, reflecting our divine mandate to do good.
A Divine Perspective
Scripture teaches us to seek after knowledge and to use it to bless others. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:79, the Lord instructs us to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass.” AI, as a tool for uncovering knowledge, aligns beautifully with this charge.
Consider the parallels between AI and prayer. When we pray, we seek guidance and understanding from a source infinitely wiser than ourselves. Similarly, when we use AI responsibly, we are leveraging a tool that helps us process and act upon the vast information God has allowed us to discover.
But just as we must approach prayer with faith and humility, so too must we approach AI with a commitment to righteousness and service. It is not a replacement for divine wisdom, but it can amplify our ability to do good in the world.
A Vision of Hope
Imagine a future where AI helps eradicate hunger by optimizing food distribution, where it helps every child access a quality education, and where it assists in curing diseases that have plagued humanity for centuries. Imagine a world where AI empowers people, enriches lives, and reflects the light of Christ by alleviating suffering and fostering connection.
This is not a distant dream—it is a possibility within our grasp. By embracing AI with faith, wisdom, and responsibility, we can help ensure that this technology becomes a force for good in the world.
Conclusion
AI is not something to fear, but something to understand and use wisely. Like all tools, its value lies in the intentions and actions of those who wield it. As people of faith, we are uniquely positioned to influence the course of AI development, ensuring that it serves humanity’s highest aspirations and honors the divine spark within us all.
Let us approach this technology with open hearts and clear minds, ready to use it as a means of serving others, building community, and magnifying the glory of God. For in every innovation, there is an opportunity to reflect His light and love.
In the interest of full disclosure, this post was created by Chat GPT 4.0 (paid version). Below is the prompt I used to create the post. My readership is limited. I usually get a few hundred views of each post after it is published. The images were gleaned from basic Google searches. If the owner of any of the images I used would like them removed or simply fully credited, please contact me and I will do so.
“Please craft a 1500 to 2000-word blog post in the style of Tim Malone of Latterdaycommentary.com summarizing AI technology for a lay audience, especially for older people who are leery of artificial intelligence and don’t really understand it. Include a few highlights of how AI can help the world and humanity in general. Try not to focus too much on the huge computing resources it will require such as electrical consumption or large data centers, although it is okay to mention them. Instead sell the benefits of AI and why there is no need to fear the development of this new technology. Remember, the audience of religious people who are accepting of new technology but fear its misuse.”
Thanks Tim. You had me fooled for awhile. I’m an AI skeptic, especially when it comes to ethical, or moral opinions.And it is only as good as the informationit it feeds off, which as we know, Covid style, can be disastrously wrong.
//About to throw up my hands//
OMG! I was wondering where the normal spirit that attends your posts had gone. Now I see…
Have been investigating different AI tools for work. Been comparing products from Google, Amazon, Microsoft, OpenAI and Xai. It’s amazing to see how many ads now pop out at me on Facebook and LinkedIn suggesting I need this or that AI tool.
I had tested GPT-3 two years ago. There was no access to current data beyond the cutoff date of the LLM. I was pleased to learn GPT-4 now accesses the Internet. Just think of the world of inaccurate information it can now hallucinate about.