[Video] Living as Creatures in a World Built for Machines

Speaking at Regent College in Vancouver, BC, Jeff Bilbro drew attention to the promises and temptations of artificial intelligence, and how they relate to human intelligence and purpose. While the promises of AI are appealing—ease and justice—they may overlook fundamental questions about humanity and its role in creation.

Bilbro, an Associate Professor of English at Grove City College, references various literary works to illustrate them: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Celestial Railroad,” J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings,” and Paul Kingsnorth's “Alexandria.” He uses these works to draw parallels between different forms of temptation.

Bilbro however questions the fundamental promise of AI—to bring ease and justicee—and explores why these promises are so enticing. He argues that the promises of AI raise questions about human nature and our role as creatures in God’s creation. Meanwhile, AI has the potential to change how we imagine and value humans.

In response to these temptations, Bilbro promises that “if we follow Christ's lead, we will seek out means … that are slow, faulty, and gratuitous.” And in so doing, we will avoid becoming like the AIs we have created.

Bilbro sets up Christ’s ministry as a contrast to the promises of AI. The Incarnation requires personal touch and presence rather than automation. Love and care are, by nature, slow, personal, and inefficient. They cannot be automated. Offloading this personal work to machines and technology undermines the essence of relationships and the manifestation of God’s presence.

Bilbro concludes by offering three suggestions for living out the vocation of Christ followers in a world oriented towards efficiency and automation:

• to do good things slowly,

• to do good things badly,

• and to do good things gratuitously.

Participating in the life of Christ and embodying love, Bilbro says, will necessarily be personal, imperfect, and generous.

Watch his full talk.