AI and Identity Theft

In a world where people can choose their own reality, faith and truth must stand.  The tools of Artificial Intelligence may enhance our abilities to share the gospel, or they may lead us into the oldest of sin. Like the fruit on the tree of good and evil, it can be used in the hands of evil to deceive us into believing truth is whatever we want to make it.

Alan Campell, our Conference Lay Leader has wise words of advice and guidance.  Let’s hear him in his own words.

We live in a fast-paced world that was inconceivable, not so long ago. Disruption and distractions are the norm. With today’s connectivity to the internet there is no need to rely on maps, the yellow pages, or a phone book (if you can locate one of them). Functions have been consolidated and streamlined, such that shopping of all types has been transformed.

When Google was created, one of the underlying foundations was distraction. Search engine design includes continuous learning about consumer preferences to sell advertising and products, along with monetizing the associated data. Keeping one’s attention was paramount. Fast forward to today, digital priorities for our attention is juggled at dizzying speed.

Can you imagine forgetting a personal belonging such as your Bible, purse, phone, or wallet in a public place like an airport? The likelihood of any of the items being returned without tampering is small. Each is part of your identity and if not recovered, might leave you anxious and lost.

Making a connection involves communication, understanding, mutual respect, trust, and is foundational for building relationships. We are complex human beings, striving to be like Jesus. As believers, we have an ongoing personal relationship with our Savior. In our lives we pray to the living God, who offers us, grace, healing, mercy, and eternal life with him in Heaven. He hears and leads us by the power of The Holy Spirit and through His Word, to confess and repent of our sins, receive forgiveness, live lives of dependence as His followers in this world. In brief, we live to serve and glorify God.

Artificial Intelligence introduces complexity to our notions of life and personal relationship. In our faith journey. New terminology, and deployment of programs to our mobile devices, automobiles, appliances in our homes and businesses, have given us the convenience of speedy choices without thoughtful deliberation or evaluation.

Digital tools such as the variety of Bible apps, commentaries and summaries, present us with added ease of access on the one hand, but the absence of rigorous vetting on the other. The rise of deep-fakes and video impostors challenges us to be discerning. For example, with just 3 seconds of video, a digital representation of a person can be constructed and distributed on the Internet with impunity. Recently, a pastor in Duluth, MN was a victim of digital mischief, when a fake sermon was created and published on the web. While it has since been repudiated, it is not an isolated instance. It is a caution for us to keep alert.

Even more concerning is the rise of chatbots that purport to be the teachings of Jesus, while simultaneously monetizing the advice being dispensed. As anxiety and uncertainty increase in daily life, individuals are flocking to these tools seeking comfort, connection, and truth. Interactive conversation with a chatbot is disarming. The engagement appears to feel genuine, however a chatbot is only a program devoid of any human, moral, or spiritual attributes. The goals are unrelenting dependence, monetary gain for its owner, surrender of one’s identity, and critical thinking skills.

We know there are all kinds of temptations to look for easy answers in our daily lives. While there are digital tools that make living productive and entertaining, when it comes to faith, we must discern which tools can be used and establish recommendations to guard our hearts and minds as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the world.

Blessings,

Alan Campbell