How many of you have thought about – I mean, deeply thought about – what is called AI, or Artificial Intelligence? Before we talk about it, let’s define and understand it.
At some point in history, the word “artificial” was given the meaning of insincere, fake, or forced. But that’s not what it means.
According to an etymology dictionary, “artificial” comes from the Latin in the 14th century, artificialis, which came from artificium, and that is: a work of art; skill; theory; system. The overall concept is: “made by man; contrived by human skill and labor.” The artificium was not the THING that was made; it was the SKILL, CRAFT, or TRADE that made the item.
Today, when we talk about Artificial Intelligence – or AI – there’s a lot of misunderstanding. AI today, in its broadest sense, is the intelligence or knowledge manifested by machines that are run by computer systems, and you might be surprised at how much of our industry is run by computers.
AI applications are systems such as web search engines (Google, et. al.), YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, Alexa, Siri, electronic chess games, cell phones, and thousands more! But remember, they are all run by computers. However, AI is used in so many systems – such as the computer I’m using at the moment – that they are not thought of as Artificial Intelligence any longer.
There shouldn’t be any mystery associated with AI. Remember, all Artificial Intelligence is man-made. There is nothing spooky, weird, or mysterious about it. Everything the computer or computer-operated machine can do or say has been programmed by man. And humans have been programmed by our Creator God to be very creative.
For example: One time I asked my cell phone, “Hey Siri, where’s my wife?” The machine answered, “If you don’t know, you’re in trouble.” (My wife and I burst out laughing!) That’s an application of AI, and someone programmed that as one of the possible responses.
Please understand this: Computers and computer-operated machines cannot – repeat, CANNOT – create information or responses without the information to generate those responses being programmed into it. They are wired and programmed by humans to scan thousands of computers and hard drives, then copy various bits of information and paste them together to give coherent responses. And the science involved has grown so well that it seems that the computer is thinking as a human. But it is not, and it cannot think as a human.
The most complex device or machine you can think of might seem to have a mind – or spirit – of its own. But remember that many primitive people thought compasses were possessed of spirits, and early native Americans thought photographs captured people’s souls. But, that was only because they didn’t understand the science involved.
So we need to understand that machines are not people, and they cannot think and respond like people. The movie, 2001 – Space Odyssey, was only science fiction; and the computer, HAL, was not real.
AI, in and of itself, is not evil. Here are several comparative examples:
Guns, by themselves, cannot kill or hurt anyone; people do.
Bows & arrows cannot hurt anyone; people do.
Knives cannot hurt anyone; people do.
Bats cannot hit a ball; people hit the ball with the bat.
Cameras, both movie and still, are not evil; but some people use them to glorify immorality, heinous murder, and evil spirits.
In like manner, AI is not bad. Instead, it’s being used in thousands of applications for the benefit – and amusement – of humanity. However, as with guns, bows & arrows, bats, knives, movies, and almost every other good thing, AI can be used wrongly for the detriment of man.
But listen: there definitely is an intelligence that overshadows anything and everything that man can do and ever could do. He is Almighty God.
When we pray, answers can come immediately: not because some AI can process at super speed, but because the Holy Spirit already knew what we were going to ask. The Bible says in I Chronicles 28:9b, “the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts.” And Isaiah 65:24a tells us, “Before they call, I [God] will answer.” Now that is fast!
So, if you want to know when Alexander the Great was born, and why some people thought of him as a god, check AI – the internet.
But when you need wisdom and guidance for living, call on the real God we read about in the Bible, and He will answer. God is omniscient – all knowing – and He cares for us.
Chickens are curious creatures: they want to get into everything, fly over anything their limited flight ability will allow, and go where no chicken has gone before. But while they will run from a person who is trying to catch them, and run from another animal coming at them, their little minds cannot understand the inherent danger involved in leaving the protection established by their keeper.
with each other, eat more, cluck to their heart’s content, and enjoy life. So why do they spend an inordinate amount of time at the gate looking out? Within the yard, they have all they will ever need. They are safe from all kinds of predators … and cars. Yet with their half-inch-long brain, there is no way they can understand the dangers outside the fold. Neither safety nor danger enters their little minds, so they roam wherever they feel like it at the moment.
Wisdom enables us to see through problematic situations; to understand and heal wounded relationships; to formulate a plan of action. Wisdom enables us to avoid hurting others and helps us to understand and love more completely. Wisdom enables us to accomplish our God-given goals. Wisdom helps us to understand Who God, what He desires of us, and to obey Him. As we remain obedient to the Lord, He grants us wisdom to understand and enjoy life.
Gene Linzey 