“To become successful in any kind of business, all you need is accurate collection of data, easy processing, adequate analytics, which further forms the backbone of decision-making and is required for vital insights. But, the kind of volume and variety of data which is generated cannot be just handled by humans at this large scale. And hence, eventually the significance of artificial intelligence comes into the picture. . .” (see)
This was the opening statement in a recent Forbes Newsletter. Countless articles laud the benefits we will receive from Artificial Intelligence. All we need is more data. Data collocation centers are being constructed around the world and in Eastern Washington. They quickly become obsolete because of the rush of new technology. AI promises to expand the reach of human intelligence. It promises to usher in a world of cooperation for everyone, to some, utopia. However, to those who know and believe the Bible to be God’s revelation, the picture of technological advancement and human intelligence is not so bright.
Long before the New Testament, God warned humanity regarding seeking knowledge apart from Him. To Adam, God said:
“’From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.’” (Gen 2:16-17)
Adam and Eve were created to live in paradise. They were innocent. One thing they lacked was experience. Acquiring the knowledge of good and evil brought pain and suffering upon humanity. First came the pain of childbirth. Then came murder. Then came oppression and perpetual evil. Even judgment upon the whole earth did not eradicate what knowledge introduced into the world. The rest is history. What was lacking?
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God. . .“ (1 Cor 1:20-21)
Wisdom is not mentioned in the Bible until the book of Exodus. The journey of Israel to wisdom brought them to Mt. Sinai and the Law of Moses. Until then, humanity was guided by human wisdom. But even the Law of Moses did not bring humanity to genuine wisdom because overcoming an evil heart requires being born of God.
“. . .Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor 1:22-25)
Paul wrote, “knowledge makes arrogant. . .” (1 Cor 8:1). The context is that of worshipping idols. AI is in our future. We must not let it become our idol.