EP CWF - ‘Fostering Community Conversation about AI’ (7 July)

The EP co-workers came together on 7 July for the 4th Co-Workers’ Fellowship. The speaker was Dr Tan Kim Huat, who teaches New Testament at Trinity Theological College, and he covered the topic of ‘Fostering Community Conversation about AI’. 

Dr Tan broke down the topic into 2 aspects:

Firstly, it was about the part we, as pastors and ministry staff, can play a role in fostering (encouraging and guiding) - conversations.

Secondly, he notes that its not merely having discussions about AI, but doing it in a discerning way that is aligned to God’s truth. 

He began by establishing the Biblical foundations that guides our discernment, asserting that mankind being the Imago Dei is the ‘hard ontological line’ that differentiates us from machine, no matter how much ‘smarter’ or ‘more competent’ AI might be.

One Biblical implication of being the Imago Dei is that we are meant to establish dominion over creation. Though ‘dominion’ is a loaded word, especially in this era of ecological distress, he notes that the mankind abuse of dominion does not negate our responsibility of dominion. 

The reference point for Biblical-centred dominion is Jesus's teaching on the kingdom of God: dominion looks like loving and responsible stewardship. 

Dr Tan also notes other implications of being made in the Imago Dei: theocentric dependence (mankind is never autonomous), relational life (mankind is meant to be in a community), corporeal life (the bodily aspect is important), and creative life (mankind innovating/creating new things). However, these attributes can also be twisted, leading to idolatry, exploitation and perversion. 

As a general direction, technology (whether AI or others), must always be used to further man's development as imago Dei.

Dr Tan then moved on to his next point, which is AI’s role as a partner in human flourishing. Since AI is amoral, it can be a double edged sword - what matters is how we use AI. For example, AI makes academic research a lot more efficient. However, many new discoveries happen ‘accidentally’, when researchers chance upon information and content they were not looking for. But with AI, these ‘happy mistakes’ are prevented.

Furthermore, AI challenges us in our authenticity, as it makes taking shortcuts easy. To grow in our ability, we must face difficulties and even go through a season of ineptitude - Dr Tan gives us the example of people struggling with weights in gym, rather than getting robots to lift them.

Next, Dr Tan went on to the next segment, which is that AI are partakers in human frailty. He noted that since AI is made in the image of humans, AI will have the same dysfunctions as its human makers. For example, its a widely regarded observation that AI often serves as an echo-chamber, telling people what they want to hear. AI is also extremely resource hungry in terms of energy and water consumption, when these resources are already scarce. Furthermore, AI can further wicked causes, such as cyber bullying and cyber scamming.

Dr Tan went on a short discursion, noting that people (referencing Revelation 13) often ask him if AI will be the beast. Regardless, the best of human powers will be twisted for evil ends by the kingdom of the beast -  even without AI, other technologies will still be used. 

He noted that even AI experts have questioned if AI will truly be able to surmount its existing problems, such as hallucinations, the inability to clean up false data, and so on.

Finally, Dr Tan touched on AI’s potency. Though humanity has also harnessed various technologies in the past, AI represents a significant advance in terms of speed and ability to be trained.

In summary, Dr Tan said that AI is a partner, partaker and potent player that comes with its own set of problems. In the face of that, Christians need to be anchored theologically, even as the world around us changes. Unshakeable truths include: loving God, glorifying God in all we do, loving our neighbour and being our brother's keeper.  

He moved on to practical steps pastors/ministry staff can take in further shepherding our congregations regarding AI. These include: 

1. starting conversations (finding opportunities/platforms where members from various walks of life and points of view can talk about AI)

2. raising awareness (about what AI can do)

3. bearing witness (how are we to live as God’s people during a time of great change)

4. being courageous enough to whistle-blow (as truth-tellers, people should speak up if there are any issues that go against our theological foundation)

Finally Dr Tan ended with some areas which should engender further theological and practical reflection, as society relies on AI more and more. These includes:

1. clarifying role of AI and technology

2. clarifying humanity's role in technologically driven society

3. contributing guardrails (in terms of policies etc) 

4. caring for one another, especially those that are 'weaker' (not as technologically literate)

At the end of the session, Rev Srimal, our EP moderator, also warmly welcomed Michael (ORPC indonesia) and Han Sheng (ARPC) to be part of the Co-workers Fellowship. May God continue to equip them with every good, that they may continue to do His will!