tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935118649833865931.post6325579746701861314..comments2024-02-23T06:41:33.455-06:00Comments on Theology and AI (Efficient or Humanistic Society): Why should religious leaders care about Artificial Intelligence (AI)?Tinku Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07043232892946386880noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935118649833865931.post-50766906520654759072020-06-04T15:09:14.407-05:002020-06-04T15:09:14.407-05:00Thanks Dan for some great points/ questions.
One...Thanks Dan for some great points/ questions. <br /><br />One of the claims of AI and related technology initially was that it would remove bias. But it was realized soon that AI algorithms inherited the human bias from the data, which was used for training the model. It has proved a challenge to train without any prejudice, or in other words, I would say, “really Neutral AI” in most cases.<br /><br />My understanding is that technology has already brought many changes in the way ministry or services are done by religious groups, including Christians. COVID situation is a good example as people met virtually via Zoom, Webex, etc. I also see a growth in the number of bi-vocational ministers, and I think that trend will increase due to some other factors. In general, there is a decline in people entering the clergy rank, but there are other trends that point to growth in different dimensions. I believe AI will get used, but I am not sure of the adoption rate. Many people will still need a human touch and presence. The story of older people in nursing homes getting tired with robots, and longing to talk to humans is a crucial point to consider. The generation who grew up mostly interacting online may view or experience it differently. <br /><br />I think the messages can be hacked and manipulated. If algorithms are based on the trending topics and using the internet as a data source, then it will be easy to manipulate. The design of AI’s algorithms will be crucial. I do not advocate for this, but I also think it is inevitable. <br /><br />Ethics is a big issue with AI. Many people are not comfortable with giving RPA based Digital workers human names and presenting it as humans. Many people design those systems with the intent that others should not know that it is not a human. Others think they have the right to know whether they were talking to a human or machine, and the companies should let them know upfront. When it comes to religion, I think faith practice and philosophy will dictate how people view it. In groups of Christianity were there is an emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and other humans, it will be difficult, but some others may adopt it. The use of robots for sermons also has to do with how people view inspiration. I have mentioned that in my research and plan to write a post about it. Tinku Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07043232892946386880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935118649833865931.post-86144299333212332142020-06-04T09:41:27.815-05:002020-06-04T09:41:27.815-05:00These are some very interesting questions you pose...These are some very interesting questions you pose, which generate even more questions. Will the Christian faith have to offer this as an option for the sheer fact that fewer enter the clergy ranks? Would this allow for hacking and the messaging to be co-opted for extremism? When robotics is so advanced that a person cannot tell the difference easily of human vs machine, would ethics dictate the worshipper is told it is a robot? Dan Bnoreply@blogger.com