I fear Artificial Intelligence or AI. Jesus told us not to fear, but in this case, I fear. We naively believe the good of AI will far surpass the bad – the evil. I’m confident the latter will prevail. Why? Too many people, and governments, want the big three: power, prestige, and possessions. They are tools for control, and AI is one such tool that lead to all three.
Even referring to “intelligence” through artificial means is troubling. Just “google” artificial intelligence to have our eyes opened to its speedy evolution and its pros and cons. Intelligence is defined as: the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments or have opinions that are based on reason.
We humans pride ourselves on our intelligence, although none of us are exempt from stupidity, or depravity: moral corruption or wickedness. Therein lies the danger for our society when AI will be used for ill-gotten gain and political or religious manipulations. They are already happening, and it will get far worse. The horse is out of the barn. Pandora’s’ Box has been opened.
Consider the Box. In Greek mythology to punish humanity, the other gods created the first woman, the beautiful Pandora. As a gift, Zeus gave her a box, which she was told never to open. However, as soon as he was out of sight she took off the lid, and out swarmed all the troubles of the world, never to be recaptured. Pandora got the blame in an Eve-like manner. Nevertheless, we have taken the lid off our box, and AI has been released.
I realize I’m being quite pessimistic, but mankind is short-sighted and self-destructive. Witness what is happening to our planet through climate change and astounding population growth. The world population in 2023 is estimated to be 8.4 billion. The population is projected to increase to 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion by 2100. How will AI be used 25 or 75 years from now – for the good or the better?
I’m a fan of the 1999 movie The Matrix starring Keanu Reeves. The Matrix suggests that everyone has the individual responsibility to make the choice between the real world and an artificial world. With the advent of AI and its potential for misuse too many of us may choose – or have no choice than to live in an artificial world of our own creation to the detriment of the real.
I wonder about the fate of religion and faith. Will we eventually put our faith in machines and controlling AI? Will AI be used to create “new” Gospels? I believe someone or some group will accomplish that feat. The Word will no longer be the Lord’s but those lording it over us for the purpose of control and power.
I must be hopeful that will not happen but man’s inhumanity against man preys on my mind. This expression is a quote from a poem called From Man was Made to Mourn: A Dirge. Robert Burns wrote this poem in the year 1785. It presents the idea that humans were created in order to be sad. It speaks of oppression and cruelty that mankind causes and mankind suffers.
People usually quote this line of the poem with a sense of regret when something awful happens, such as many soldiers dying in a war.
"Many and sharp the num'rous ills
Inwoven with our frame!
More pointed still we make ourselves,
Regret, remorse, and shame!
And man, whose heav'n-erected face
The smiles of love adorn, -
Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!
Deacon David Pierce
Comments
Post a Comment
Please THINK before you write!