AI: Boon or Bane With Jerry Bowyer

Show Notes

Jerry Bowyer is our resident economist and frequent contributor here FaithFi.

Humanity cannot surpass God's creation, and AI, being a product of human invention, cannot exceed the intelligence and capabilities God endowed in humans. AI is constrained by the boundaries of human creativity.

• AI cannot surpass human intelligence as this would imply humans have the capability to create something superior to God’s own creation, which is not possible given our finite nature.
• The portrayal of AI as a potential threat or a deity in itself, capable of surpassing human intelligence, erroneously attributes divine characteristics to AI.
• It's essential to recognize humanity's unique status as God's highest creation to maintain a balanced perspective on AI's potential and limitations, acknowledging that any creation by humans, including AI, remains subordinate to God's creation.

While AI promises considerable economic benefits, its potential has been somewhat overestimated. Its efficiency and the scope of its impact compared to human intelligence and creativity are yet to be fully realized.

• AI's processing power and efficiency are significantly less than the human brain, which exceeds the complexity of the global internet, highlighting the vast difference in capabilities.
• Economic predictions about AI adding trillions to the global economy might be overblown. Its development and practical application are likely to follow a more gradual path than the current hype suggests.
• AI can be a useful tool for initial tasks such as drafting documents or conducting preliminary research but requires human oversight for accuracy, underscoring the indispensable value of human creativity and judgment.

The advancement of AI may pose challenges for certain job sectors, particularly those involving routine or non-creative tasks, but it also highlights the irreplaceable value of human creativity and adaptability.

• Jobs that demand high levels of creativity and innovative thinking are less susceptible to being replaced by AI, as AI's output in creative tasks tends to be mediocre at best.
• The labor market is expected to evolve, with AI-induced job displacements leading to new opportunities that better utilize human creativity and adaptability, reflecting the dynamic nature of technological advancement.
• Christians should actively participate in the development and application of AI, shaping its trajectory to ensure it serves humanity's best interests while aligning with biblical principles and values.

Christians should not fear AI but engage with it constructively, recognizing that while technology brings new challenges, it also provides opportunities to exercise dominion and creativity in alignment with God's design.

• Approaching the development of AI with biblical wisdom ensures that it serves to enhance, rather than replace, the unique qualities God has instilled in humanity, keeping technology as a tool under human stewardship.
• By participating in AI's development, Christians can steer its use towards beneficial and ethical applications, reflecting God's goodness and creativity, and ensuring technology remains a positive force in society.
• In the end, technology, including AI, is a tool that, when wielded with intention and guided by God's principles, can glorify God and benefit humanity, echoing our role as stewards of God's creation.

• I just realized a store card I own was changed to a MasterCard without my knowledge, and I signed up for another card to get a discount without fully understanding. Will closing these accounts hurt my credit score?
• I've recently received an inheritance in the form of stock and am considering how to tithe from this. How do taxes play into tithing from an inherited stock?