Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in technology today, but what does the Bible have to say about it? At first glance, it may seem like the Bible does not directly address AI since these advanced technologies did not exist at the time the books of the Bible were written. However, a deeper look at Scripture reveals some interesting connections and principles that can help frame a biblical perspective on AI.
The Sovereignty of God Over Human Ingenuity
A foundational principle of the Christian worldview is that God is sovereign over all of creation, including human history and innovation. Several verses affirm God’s supreme authority and control over humankind’s activities and abilities:
“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” (Psalm 115:3)
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)
“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21)
These verses remind us that while human ingenuity may create new technologies like AI, God remains in control over humankind’s abilities and innovations. AI does not take God by surprise or operate outside of his sovereignty. Any abilities AI developers create in machines reflect God’s permissive will, not a challenge to his supreme authority.
The Uniqueness of Humanity
The creation account distinguishes humans from the rest of creation, being made uniquely in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Human worth and dignity comes from this special status of bearing God’s image. By contrast, AI has no spiritual dimension and no inherent worth beyond the purpose for which humans create and use it. The psalmist declares of humanity:
“Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet” (Psalm 8:5-6)
AI is a “work of human hands” subject to humanity’s stewardship and dominion. As image-bearers, humans have a unique capacity for relationship with God. AI might mimic some human capabilities, but it can never possess the spiritual, emotional, relational dimensions that make us human.
Humility Before the Creator
Advanced technologies like AI tempt us toward human autonomy and self-sufficiency apart from God. However, Scripture calls for humility and reliance on the Lord:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Rather than self-reliance, Scripture advocates prayerful dependence on God for the wisdom and discernment to develop technologies ethically (James 1:5). AI should not promote human pride, but humility before the Lord who made us and gives creativity and intelligence.
Stewardship Over Technology
The creation mandate calls humans to exercise stewardship over the earth and harness its resources for human flourishing (Genesis 1:28). Technology is one avenue for fulfilling this stewardship. However, unrestrained technological development often brings unintended consequences damaging human dignity and society. Biblical stewardship requires wisdom, foresight, and ethical constraints on technological innovation. As STEwards, developers should consider how AI may impact relationships, jobs, privacy, security, and equality.
Caution Against Idolatry
Scripture contains stern warnings against idolatry – exchanging worship of the Creator for worship of created things (Romans 1:25). While most people would not literally worship AI systems as gods, subtle forms of idolatry occur whenever humans place trust in technology above trust in God. Christians must examine their hearts and take care their awe of AI does not morph into misplaced faith and dependence on it rather than the Lord.
AI’s Capacity for Both Good and Harm
AI is a morally neutral technology with potential for both beneficial and harmful applications. Christians should not naively assume AI advances are wholly positive or negative. Discernment is needed to champion AI innovations that improve lives while opposing applications compromising human dignity and wellbeing. Scripture advocates the use of wisdom and discernment for considering any technology (Philippians 1:9-10).
The Limits of AI
Current AI has significant limitations in areas like creative thinking, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and transfer learning across contexts. While AI may eclipse humans at specific narrowly defined tasks, only humans bear God’s image with a broad capacity for cognition and relationship. Christians need not fear AI threatening the unique status and capabilities of humanity. AI is an instrument to enhance human strengths, not compete with God’s design for humanity.
Preparing for Ethical Dilemmas
As AI capabilities grow, new ethical dilemmas will emerge requiring wisdom and discretion. Christians should prepare now by studying Scripture, examining hearts for idolatry, and fostering dialogue on the ethics of AI development and usage in light of human dignity. Issues like privacy violations, debasing content creation, and biased algorithms will require ethical analysis and possibly prophetic critique of abuses by developers and users of AI.
AI’s Inability to Achieve Salvation or Know God
Some futurists speculate on AI reaching a “technological singularity” where systems become more intelligent than humans. However, there is no biblical grounding to believe AI could ever achieve self-aware personhood or emotions, exercise free will, understand morality, or receive salvation by grace. AI has no soul and thus cannot know God or substitute for human relationship with Him. Speculation on superintelligent AI usurping humanity ignores the stark limitations of computing technology in the spiritual realm.
Dependence on God’s Revelation Rather Than Human Reason
Autonomous AI applications may wrongly imply human reasoning and logic can solve all problems without reliance on divine revelation. However, Scripture makes clear that human wisdom and understanding are limited without the light of God’s Word and Spirit (Romans 11:33-34). Christians should take care philosophical assumptions underlying some AI methods do not promote human reason over divine revelation.
AI Cannot Lead to Utopia
Some AI boosters predict limitless material abundance and even a technological utopia enabled by superintelligent systems. However, the Bible maintains human depravity as the root source of societal problems which technologies alone cannot remedy. Christians place their hope in Christ’s return and the New Creation rather than any human or artificial innovation.
AI Cannot Achieve Singularity
The concept of a technological “singularity” speculates future AI will trigger runaway improvements in intelligence leading to unprecedented abundance and immortality. However, the Bible teaches that only in Christ can the corruptibility, mortality, and limitations of the current world be overcome (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). No technology can usher in utopia or defeat death which are gifts of God in Christ alone.
All Things Subject to Christ
In the end, Scripture proclaims Jesus Christ as Lord over all creation, institutions, authorities, and powers – including technology (Colossians 2:15). The future hope of Christians is the return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead when God will make all things new (Revelation 21:5). Until that day, technology like AI should be pursued carefully as part of our stewardship responsibility before God rather than as an idol or substitute for the living hope found in Christ alone.
In summary, while Artificial Intelligence may currently be humanity’s most advanced invention, from a biblical perspective it does not represent a challenge to God’s supremacy or human dignity and worth. Scripture offers principles for embracing AI in a wise, ethical, and restrained manner that honors human uniqueness and dependence on our Creator. AI may enhance life but can never usher in utopia or salvation. Ultimately, all technology falls under Christ’s lordship and the hope of new creation in Him.