Whose Image?

The new Mission Impossible movie showcases what the world could be brought to the brink of, if AI technology got that smart. Hmm…is the idea that AI could outsmart humans one day really that far-fetched?

The university I am studying my Masters through has just made an official statement about the use of AI by students. Basically, most Australian universities are taking the stance that there is little they can do to detect or prevent students from using AI. If anything, universities state they will need to change the way they teach and assess students to ensure students are actually learning.

Can you sense what will happen if critical thinking goes even further out the proverbial window?

AI is simply advancing at a rate that ethics codes, practices, and the law itself cannot keep up with.

Despite some of the unquestionable benefits of AI, especially in the field of medicine, why does most of what I learn about AI make me feel increasingly ill at ease? Is it just me?

It seems the more I look into it, the more it makes me ponder whether humankind has got too “smart” for its own good.

So, with lots of pondering, I’ve reached a conclusion that may seem pretty far-fetched, but nevertheless, it’s where your mind may also land if you pause to think about things from a theological perspective.

God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them…..Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”

(Gen 1:27, 31)

Humans are the pinnacle of God’s good creation.

So, doesn’t it make sense that the father of lies, the master of counterfeits, the hater of everything good that God has created, the very devil himself, will continue to do all he can to destroy that image of God in humans?

Throughout history, we have seen the hand of evil. Humans kill other humans through wars and genocide. Deceived by their own sinful natures, humans abort their babies, enslave the poor and victimize the weak. Today we also witness the twisting of what it means to be male and female and the gradual decline into a gender-neutral society… ideologies hideously designed by Satan to remove humankind further and further away from recognizing that they are made in God’s image.

And now we have AI. So what? How is it any different from any other new technology?

The difference is it thinks for us. It can sound like us. It can look like us. It’s “human” without the soul. Did you know there is Hybrid Human Artificial Intelligence (HHAI)? Think carefully about where that could lead.

What or whose image is humankind being conformed to?

Let’s ponder some more and take it a step further.

What if the coming person of the anti-Christ is something or someone made in man’s image? If you have bothered to google HHAI and learned that it “fuses human abilities and AI capabilities into a unified entity”, then the thought may not seem so absurd.

Since this pondering has landed us in Revelation, what if the mark of the beast is something that humans are going to willingly line up for and in fact desire, even worship? With the rapid advancement in medical AI, perhaps it will be some type of medical breakthrough that promises (the counterfeit version) of eternal life? Can’t you see the world saying “give it to me?”

Whoa. Time to pull up! I’m NOT into conspiracy theories but I do like to be curious and think outside the box.

I realize this post hasn’t been my usual Quietly Roaring style. But I do hope it has given you something to ponder! I will return to my usual style of writing in my next post.

In the meantime, power to the humans! 😜

©Quietly Roaring, 2023. All Rights Reserved.

32 thoughts on “Whose Image?

  1. Excellent post. Your ponderings may be outside the box, but certainly within the realm of reality, especially considering — as you’ve noted — that ultimately AI is being controlled by Satan, the father of lies and deception. Well done!

    Liked by 3 people

  2. AI concerns me as well.

    There are many kinds of “smarts” humans have. AI possesses one of them, and it seems culturally that one is over valued. Humanity’s emotional, spiritual, and ethical intelligence lags behind our scientific one.

    What is beautiful in humans, what is good. Seems missing from AI.

    Our advanced state with technology but our underdevelopment in the spiritual, ethical, and emotional realms makes me feel like humanity is wandering astray.

    There is a short story called “The Machine Stops” written in 1909 by Forster. It deals with technology and humanity. You might enjoy it, I found it super fascinating!

    Liked by 3 people

  3. The fact that artificial intelligence is growing by leaps and bounds, while being used for evil, is deeply concerning.
    Furthermore, I’m not surprised that the halls of academia are being overwhelmed by the increasing sophistication of these new tools.
    Thankfully, God has not, and will not change. The plans of evil forces (Satan and his friends) may go from bad to worse, but God’s plan will prevail. 🙏Thank you, Heavenly Father, that no person, fallen angel, or circumstance in the universe can undo Your redemption!

    His richest blessings to you and yours, Jo.

    Liked by 4 people

  4. Thought provoking article, Jo! I find it ironic the mad scientists who created AI are now warning the world of its many dangers. “Let’s pump up more fear to increase our control.” Ho-hum. More of the same. But really – Whom shall we fear? (This comment was not AI-generated. Promise. 😎)

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Jo, I am glad you stepped out of your box and wrote on this topic. I truly appreciate your insights, ponderings, and the way you pointed us back to Genesis (the beginning). You are not alone in your feelings of unease about it. I belong to a family of educators that range from elementary school through high school and into college both public and private. One dinner discussions at our recent family beach trip centered around AI, how different schools are responding, and how its impacting students. The more I hear and read the more I wonder if this isn’t our modern versions of the tower of Babel.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Hi Beth it certainly is going to impact students, and the way teachers will have to teach. A modern version of the tower of Babel seems a very good way of describing it…humankind is at the point that nothing seems impossible to them!

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Jo, I am right there with you in feeling uneasy with the rapid advancement of AI. It has many advantages but it is scary to think of the control it can have eventually at the rate of all this advancement. When I think about all this, I remind myself to trust in God as he knows how everything is going to play out.

    Liked by 4 people

  7. Excellent post, Jo! I have lots of questions about AI. Who is putting the information into AI? What is their agenda? Is the love of money at the root? Will people look to AI for Truth? Blessings, Jo!
    May I repost?

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Jo, I agree with your thoughts and ponderings about AI. We know the arch-enemy of God perverts every good thing, He will use AI in an attempt to steal glory from God while deceiving and destroying as many humans as possible. Thank you for sharing your well-articulated concerns.

    I say, “Amen! and Amen!” to David’s prayer:
    Thank you, Heavenly Father, that no person, fallen angel, or circumstance in the universe can undo Your redemption!

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Thought provoking and needed to be said. It’s quite unnerving how we can easily be duped into believing ‘what appears real’ today. If ever a time we need the spirit of discernment, it’s now! I find myself being extra cautious with videos of that come my way these days. Especially those of people acting out of character…taking a bit more time before forming an opinion. Help us Lord.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, truth has become so subjective, and now with AI we can never be sure if what we see or hear is even real! I agree wholeheartedly that discernment is needed, and to know the truth of God’s Word more than ever! Blessings to you today Marcia!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. You have called attention to a very disturbing part of our lives today, whether we want it to be or not. We certainly do need to be discerning in this world today! I keep thinking about how AI is artificial and yet is such a real threat. God is real, though, and He is here for each of us who follow Him. May we stay aware and faithful!

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