About Spring Convocation (2025) at Montreat College
| Authors | Schuurman, Derek |
|---|---|
| Date | 2025 |
| Place | Gordon College |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/live/swR5aEw7580 |
| Language | en |
Type: Video Recording
Tags: Algorithms, apocalypse, Artificial intelligence, Babel, bias, Bible, Chatbots, Christ, Christian perspective, Communication, computers, creation, cultural mandate, data, design, direction, disinformation, dystopianism, Enlightenment, Ethics, fall, Image of God, Kuyper, large language models, modal aspects, new creation, norms, personhood, Reason, reconciliation, redemption, reductionism, Reformational worldview, Religion, responsibility, Salvation, Scientific method, shalom, structure, technicism, Technology, trust, truth, Wolters
Abstract
The talk began with a Dr. Seuss-like poem about Montreat College to illustrate what today's chatbots can produce with data from the web. Large language models are intrinsically grounded in a worldview. Some of AI's pioneers posit that AI will be humanity's savior. This idea with respect to technology goes back to Enlightenment thinking, advocating Reason and the scientific method as our salvation. Others have seen powerful technology as a threat to humanity and our world. The biblical story gives Christians a worldview, a good way to frame what is going on with AI. Nothing latent in creation, including AI, is either our savior or demonic. Humans are responsible to develop all aspects of creation. With the fall, everything fell under the effect of sin. The distinction between structure and direction helps us think about all of this. Christ is the Word of God who brings about salvation and reconciliation of all things. We are also involved in this reconciliation project; we should adhere to various creational norms as we engage in technology, including AI. The future, however, the new heavens and earth, will be established by Christ. The talk ends by discussing particular norms for developing and applying AI and what things Christians should avoid. This includes AI adopting personas. AI tutors are now being deployed for students, AI pastors can be called up, as can AI friends, AI Jesus, etc. AI is starting to replace human relations and contacts, and to shape who we are. The future for AI may be in a hybrid approach, as an AI assistant. As Christians we need to join the larger dialogue with others of faith (principled pluralism) over the future of AI. [CJ]