DAY 22: CHRISTIAN EXPRESSION IN THE AGE OF AI

A few weeks ago, I heard a song in an IG reel. It sounded great so I thought I'd check it out. Went on YouTube music, sang the tune and saw this obviously AI-generated image appear. Still wanted to convince myself that maybe just maybe this artist didn't have any professional photos of themselves so she used this image. So I opened Google app and typed in her name. My brothers and sisters, I finally found what I was looking for. 

That voice didn't sound familiar so I was expecting it to be some rising gospel artist but immediately that image appeared, I knew that it was AI but something in me wanted it to be false. At that point, I didn't know how to feel. 

You know when Jesus said that He is able to rise up stones to worship Him, is this an example of that?

Is it all part of the expansion of the gospel?

2nd example.

A well-known preacher issued a disclaimer last year that she was not the person behind some sermons. Apparently, a whole YouTube channel had been impersonating her by sharing AI-generated audio sermons.

I have no strong positive or negative feelings about this. I'm just confused. I don't know what to think. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. Sometimes it makes me furrow my brows in scepticism and sometimes open them wide in optimism.

If we can use AI to translate sermons from genuine men of God into different languages, that's great. 

If ChatGPT answers push people to read their Bibles and spend time with God, that's nice.

I heard one of the brains behind a popular AI song say that he was so thankful to God and that the song was his testimony, AI was just the tool to bring it to life. And I respect that. 

But what if, we have people substituting ChatGPT for the Holy Spirit?

What if money mongers and false prophets use AI generated sermons to deceive masses. We haven't even figured how to deal with human false prophets, what would we do if AI gets into the mix?

Is the music okay as long as the lyrics are edifying and biblical? Is there no need for the human component?

So…concerning AI use in Christianity, how far is too far?

Are there any boundaries, any ethics, anywhere we draw the line and say “not here”? Is anything too sacred for AI?

How far is too far? What is allowed and what is not?

How do christian creatives feel about this? 

Would you be disappointed if you found out that your favorite christian blogger uses AI to generate posts or would you be okay with it?

When does AI stop being a tool and when does it become a master?

The rhetorical questions are plenty...I know but I just had to ask.

I haven't really sat with this to flesh out my feelings properly but I want to know your thoughts.

If I'm overthinking this too, please tell me😅.