Dear Friends,
Robert Marks is Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baylor University and is the Director of Baylor’s Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. While most of us have only become aware of and started to grapple with the implications of the rapid advancement of AI tools, Dr. Marks has been exploring this subject for years.
Back in 2023 (which is a long, long time ago in AI years), Dr. Marks was asked if Christians should be more fearful or excited about AI?
His response was measured: “I think that AI—like any technology—is neither good nor bad. It’s how it’s used.”
Three years later, a lot of people are raising real concerns about the AI revolution. Students are looking ahead and wondering if AI is going to make them unemployable. A recent Wall Street Journal article (https://us.list-manage.com/ncW_qIWGKjw?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) (behind a paywall) reported on those concerns:
“Several graduations this spring featured tone-deaf commencement speeches praising artificial intelligence, which the crowds greeted with a symphony of boos. In response, one speaker bluntly stated, ‘I know it, deal with it. Like I said, it’s a tool. . . . You can hear me now, or pay me later.’ It was the perfect representation of the generational divide in feelings about AI.
“Young people who were sold on the promise that a college education secured a good future are now being confronted with an economy in which employers are gutting entry-level positions in favor of AI. A global survey released this April from Oliver Wyman found that 43% of CEOs (https://us.list-manage.com/DeNu70p6RV7?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) plan to reduce junior roles (up from 17% in 2025). As the trajectory of the job market continues in this direction, young people are actively being written out of a future they have no control over.”
Meanwhile, communities (like ours) are grappling with the decision about whether to allow new AI data centers to be built near them. Proponents point to the economic benefit the centers will provide while noting that data centers are going to exist somewhere. Better here, they say, than China. Meanwhile, those who are concerned about the data centers cite the significant electrical power and water needs those centers will have as a primary concern, along with concerns about noise pollution.
Mental health professionals are seeing a rise in psychological disorders related to AI and how people are bonding with the AI companions they have created. Recently, I read about a man who was having relationship problems with his girlfriend. He turned to ChatGPT for advice. According to the article, he is one of a number of men and women who have formed close bonds with their chatbots and in the process, developed dangerous delusions, which have resulted in hospitalizations, suicide, even a murder-suicide. Mental-health professionals, the article said, are recognizing chatbot delusions and psychosis as a growing phenomenon.
All of which brings me back to Dr. Robert Marks, who thinks AI is neither good nor bad. It all depends on how it’s used.
I think he’s right. And I also have to agree with the commencement speaker who told booing college graduates to “deal with it.”
AI is here. It’s not going away.
And that is both promising and dangerous. As a tool, AI could lead to major breakthroughs in medicine and technology. We may have both preventive and curative solutions for significant diseases arriving sooner than we otherwise would because of what AI can do.
At the same time, the deepfakes and misinformation AI can generate are already serving to confuse and polarize people even further. There are huge concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity related matters. And as human beings turn to “bots” for friendship and advice, the result is less human contact, leading to increased alienation and loneliness.
I know. I’m just scratching the surface on all this.
How do we navigate the road ahead in the face of the AI revolution that is taking place? Seven years ago, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention drafted and released what the called An Evangelical Statement of Principles (https://us.list-manage.com/xWNaW3hFWv9?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf)related to AI. While their work could probably use an update, those who drafted the series of affirmations and denials had a pretty good handle on the issues we are now facing with AI. Their statement is worth reviewing and pondering and discussing with others.
My greatest concern about the AI revolution is that it is arriving at a time when we are at a spiritual and ethical low point as a nation. Pragmatism is more highly valued than godly character in our day. Instead of asking if something is good and true and beautiful, our only question is “will it score points for our team?” But pursuing a supposedly ethical outcome by unethical means is a self-unraveling quest. By the time you achieve your goal (assuming you ever do) you find the pursuers have lost their appetite for ethical outcomes. They’ve found they like winning more than nobleness.
Our most important objective as we enter into the brace new world of AI is for us to be guided on our journey by righteousness and growth in godliness. In an age where character formation takes a back seat to winning by any means necessary, AI presents a clear and present danger.
Seventy years ago, we brought the Second World War to an end by unleashing a deadly force the world had never before seen. We ushered in the atomic age when we dropped bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In God’s providence, world leaders have seemed to understand the real threat posed by nuclear weapons. Although the weapons exist, none has been deployed since 1945.
The AI age presents us with a new threat. The problem is, the danger is more accessible than nuclear weapons are. May God, in His providence, grant us grace to use this new tool wisely. May we, as a nation, cultivate the kind of character in our citizenry that is needed to steward AI well. May He protect us from those who would use AI for malevolent ends. And may He protect us from making an idol of AI, turning to technology for counsel or for relationship instead of turning to Him and to one another.
LOVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT MARRIAGE CLASSOur Love Like You Mean It Marriage Class for couples starts this Sunday!
Could your marriage use a tune up?
(https://us.list-manage.com/1ADBf_7C6HB?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf)This 10-week class will take you through the book and video series Love Like You Mean It, looking at the Bible’s definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 and seeing how it applies to your marriage.
To learn more about the class or to sign up, click here (https://us.list-manage.com/m9EO4uAL6Cv?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
BACKYARD BIBLE CLUB FOR KIDSLast call to register your children for our annual Backyard Bible Club. It all starts Monday! It’s a great week where kids learn, grow and have a ton of fun.
Click here (https://us.list-manage.com/ScETWniccuD?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) to find out more or to register your kids.
BACKYARD BURGER BASHAs of today, there is no rain in the forecast for our Backyard Burger Bash, one week from now. Plan to bring the whole family out back to the playground at church on Wednesday, June 3 as we kick off summer with Pastor Bob’s famous burgers. Food. Fellowship. Inflatables. And the best burgers in town! WOMEN'S 10:24 GROUPS THIS SUMMERLadies – if you’re interested in connecting with other women from our church for informal get-togethers and conversation, reach out to Jen Gurney to find out how you can be part of a 10:24 Group this summer.MEN'S SUMMER FORGE GROUPSMen – how would you like to grab a meal or hang out with other men a handful of times this summer? That’s what our Forge Groups are all about.
We have six guys leading groups. Along with hanging out, each group will have a particular focus for the times together. Here are the group leaders for our Summer Forge Groups along with their focus.
Alex Brown – Courage
Chad Donley – Faith over fear
Mason Harper – Christ centered work
Mike Cantrell – Thoughts for young men (JC Ryle)
Kevin Wang – Finding the right hills to die on
Kip Weaver – Developing a servant’s heart
Matt Gurney – Humility Project for Men
Does one of those look interesting to you? Click this link (https://us.list-manage.com/14x_b3XTxtG?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) to find out more and to sign up. Once you’re signed up, your group leader will contact you to schedule meeting times that work for everyone in the group.STREET REACH IN MEMPHISOur Roots Students are headed to Memphis again this summer for our Street Reach outreach to kids in the Brady Heights neighborhood. Students and parents can find out more about the trip and register to take part in this special week. Just click here (https://us.list-manage.com/mURrQBfIb54?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).ROOTS SUMMER CALENDARSummertime is fun time for our Roots Students. Here’s the summer schedule.RCC SUMMER CALENDARCheck out what we have planned for this summer, all in one location. You can scan our online calendar (https://us.list-manage.com/gpt8JtfP5PC?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf), which is up to date. Use the grid display or the list display. Or you can review, download or print the summer schedule here (https://us.list-manage.com/3gCVJOdlc4l?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
READY FOR SUNDAY
Here is the preview (https://us.list-manage.com/15aCnzNLbLy?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) of the songs we’ll be singing together this weekend.
The Judges God raised up to rescue the nation of Israel from its enemies were heroes with feet of clay. On Sunday, we’ll begin to see what we can learn about God and about ourselves from the remarkable accounts of Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar found in Judges 3.
See you in church!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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