What is the future of artificial intelligence and how does it impact my Christian Faith?

[00:00:00] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Let me ask you this. Is artificial intelligence a tool for good or a potential threat to our faith? Imagine a world where machines can think. Where they can learn and even create just like humans. It's not science fiction anymore. It's the reality of artificial intelligence. But you've got to ask, what does this mean for us as Christians? How can we harness the power of AI while staying true to our faith? Well, that's what we're going to be exploring today. So don't touch that dial. Today on the Ask Ralph Show we're diving deep into the future of AI and it's impact on Christianity.

[00:00:43] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Before we jump in, a quick reminder about yesterday's episode, where we tackled the question, am I paying too much for rent? If you missed it or want to revisit any of our past episodes, head right over to askralph.com where you'll find our complete archive. Your questions are the heart of the show, and your answers are all there on the website.

[00:01:09] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Well now let's dive into today's topic with a message from one of our listeners. Here's a message from Jenelle in Montana.

[00:01:15] Jenelle from Montana: Ralph, one of my good friends recently told me about your show, and I've been listening for a week or so, and you asked for questions, so here's my question. I've been hearing a lot about artificial intelligence lately, and I'm both excited and concerned. Maybe even downright scared. As a small business owner and a devoted Christian, I'm wondering how AI might affect my work and my faith.

[00:01:36] Jenelle from Montana: I'm also really concerned about how this technology could expose me to new threats. Ralph, are there ways I can use AI to improve my business? And how do I make sure I'm using this technology in a way that aligns with my Christian values? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. God bless you. Keep up the good work.

[00:01:53] Jenelle from Montana: Your insights are making a difference in my life and I'm sure in those of your other listeners.

[00:01:57] Ralph Estep, Jr.: This new AI technology is indeed really scary and at the very least thought-provoking. So I'm happy to address your question on today's show. Your question is one I'm sure many of our listeners are grappling with as well. I work with this ever-changing technology every day. And it seems like everything now has this AI component. From my iPhone to my Google searches. It's all got some sort of AI built in and trying to navigate it can be overwhelming. But fear not Jenelle, we're going to take on this journey together on today's show.

[00:02:28] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Welcome to The Ask Ralph Show where we're mastering finances from a Christian perspective. I'm your host, Ralph Estep, Jr. and I'm thrilled you've joined me today as we tackle this important and ultimately timely topic.

[00:02:43] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Before we dive in, let's ground ourselves in scripture, the book of Proverbs 2:6 tells us, “For the Lord gives wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” So as we explore the world of AI, let's remember that true wisdom and understanding ultimately, come from God.

[00:03:06] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Jenelle, let's start by addressing just what is artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence or AI is rapidly changing the world around us. From voice assistants like Siri and Alexa to complex algorithms that power social media and online shopping. AI is a big part of our daily lives. It's only going to become more prevalent in the future. So as Christians is natural to approach new technologies with a mix of curiosity and caution. After all, we're called to be in the world, but not of the world. That's from the book of John 17:14-15. So the question becomes, how do we navigate the world of AI while staying true to our faith? That's really your question Jenelle so let's talk about it.

[00:03:50] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Let's start by looking at some practical uses for AI that can benefit us both personally and professionally. The first is productivity and efficiency. AI-powered tools can help automate repetitive tasks. that frees up more time for meaningful work and relationships.

[00:04:07] Ralph Estep, Jr.: For example, AI writing assistants can help draft emails and reports while scheduling apps can optimize your calendar. I've been using AI for over a year now in my accounting practice and it helps me in writing letters and other written responses on behalf of my clients helps me save time and also ensures that I've considered all aspects of a particular issue. Now, look, I certainly don't let AI handle it all, but it does save me some real time in refining my work.

[00:04:33] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Another benefit of AI can be using it in personal finance. AI algorithms can analyze your spending habits and offer personalized budgeting advice. Some apps can even predict future expenses and help you save more effectively. Now we're using this in our practice with our bookkeeping clients to identify the correct categorization of their expenses, you can do the same thing, Jenelle. If you're using some sort of app to manage your finances. This AI technology is pretty good at assisting you in sorting out and organizing your financial data. Again, just make sure you view anything that AI puts out.

[00:05:08] Ralph Estep, Jr.: AI is also being used in healthcare. AI is revolutionizing health care by assisting in early disease detection. Personalized treatment plans and even drug discovery. Now, listen, this is an area of great debate and considerable concern. But AI, if nothing else, is good at analyzing vast amounts of data, and it can crunch that data and give our medical professionals some things to check in the end. I feel like we'll all benefit from that.

[00:05:35] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Well, how about AI and education? AI-powered learning platforms can adapt to individual learning styles, making education more accessible, and effective for people of all ages. Hey, maybe there's still some hope for middle-aged guys like me. I still can't believe I'm going to be 52 next month. Well, maybe I'm getting wiser. I'll let you be the judge of that.

[00:05:55] Ralph Estep, Jr.: And finally AI is being effectively used in providing business insights. Jenelle, for entrepreneurs like you, AI can provide valuable insights into customer behavior. Market trends and operational efficiency. You've just got to find the tools that fit best with your business. And these are just a few examples of how AI can be a powerful tool for good. When used responsibly, AI can help us be better stewards of our time, help us be better stewards of our resources and our talents. All of those things are aligned with our Christian calling. So perhaps AI is awesome, and we should all be using it. Well, not so fast. AI may be very useful. However, as with any powerful tool, we need to be aware of potential pitfalls. So let's talk about some of those not-so-great aspects of AI usage.

[00:06:43] Ralph Estep, Jr.: This one's brutal. AI has led the job displacement. As AI automates more tasks, some jobs have and may become obsolete. As Christians, we need to be mindful of how this affects our communities and be prepared to adapt and support those who are being impacted. Now understand that we have to embrace technology. And the way we do things today is inevitably going to lead to the loss of jobs. I think about this for a second. Just consider those coal deliveries. when heating our homes. Nobody uses coal anymore, but back in the late forties and fifties, in our big cities, everyone had coal chutes. They could get those coal deliveries. My grandparents and my dad talked about that when he was younger. Progress simply brings changes, and we have to balance those changes with an understanding of the individual impact on those working in these jobs.

[00:07:30] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Here's a funny story. I remember as a kid, I was in the Cub Scouts and our pack leader was an assembly line worker at the local GM plant. We were excited about him getting us a cool tour of the plant. I can still remember the first time I saw robots putting those cars together on the assembly line and how amazing that technology was for the plant. But I also realized as the pack leader said, Ralph those cool Robots are costing many of my fellow assembly workers jobs. It was a humbling experience for me to see the cool new tech. But also seeing the real-time effects it's having on those workers.

[00:08:03] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Let's talk about AI-related privacy concerns. AI systems often rely on vast amounts of personal data. So we need to be vigilant about protecting our privacy and the privacy of others. Jenelle, that may be a very important thing you may want to consider in your business.

[00:08:18] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Now you didn't mention what kind of business you were in but think about this. What if you had a medical practice and you were using your patient's data with AI tools? You have to consider the privacy concerns of sharing their most intimate health data with those AI tools and make sure there are some built-in privacy techniques. Just think about how this data could be used for nefarious purposes to target people with health issues. That's the kind of thing that'll keep you up at night.

[00:08:43] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Another issue with AI is algorithmic bias. Say that 10 times. That's a real tongue twister. AI systems can inadvertently perpetuate or even amplify existing biases. We need to be aware of this and work towards creating fair and just AI systems. Now, this can also be taken to extremes. If you've been following the news, you no doubt read about some of the funnier responses to AI queries, where responses simply didn't make sense in historical context. So that's why you've got to always view AI with some level of skepticism and not simply share data with others before reviewing it.

[00:09:17] Ralph Estep, Jr.: A good friend of mine. Dave Jackson, from the School of Podcasting, spoke about how AI once told him that podcasting has been evolving ever since it was launched in 1994. When in fact podcasts didn't even start until around 2004. So the moral of the story is: Don't use the tech without making a review and check. Look at that you didn't know. I was a rhyming podcast host.

[00:09:39] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Now from a faith perspective, another area of concern is AI is dependence and idolatry. There's a risk of becoming over-reliant on AI, potentially elevating it to a godlike status in our lives. Remember this. AI is a tool not a replacement for human relationships or our relationship with God. This is a huge concern for me is more of this AI technology is being adopted all around us. And I'm concerned that it takes the place of common sense in thought. I guess we'll have to see how that all plays out.

[00:10:11] Ralph Estep, Jr.: And finally AI presents ethical dilemmas. As AI becomes more advanced, we'll face complex ethical questions. For instance, how do we ensure AI-powered autonomous vehicles make moral decisions in potential accident scenarios? Listen Jenelle, just be secure in your faith and test it against your core beliefs.

[00:10:30] Ralph Estep, Jr.: So as Jenelle asks, how do we as Christians approach AI in a way that honors God and benefits humanity? I'm going to give you some guidelines first. One's this: Stay informed. Educate yourself about AI and its implications. As I always say knowledge is power and it will help you make informed decisions about how to engage in AI technologies. Number two: Use discernment. Not all AI applications are created equally. This is a time to pray for wisdom and use your God-given discernment to evaluate AI tools and their impact on your life. And more importantly, on your faith. Use your God-given brain and don't rely on AI yet. Another rhyme. Number three: Maintain human connections. While AI can enhance our lives in many ways, it should never replace genuine human relationships or our connection with God. This is critical. I've spoken about this before. Just think of how technology has really broken down personal interactions. Don't let that happen to you. Number four: Advocate for ethical AI. Support the development of AI systems that align with Christian values of fairness, Values of justice and human dignity. Number five: Focus on stewardship. You can use AI as a tool to be a better steward of your time, a better steward of your resources and your talents. Let it enhance your ability to serve others and glorify God. And number six: Always remember the true source of wisdom. While AI can provide information and insights, true wisdom comes from God. Continue to seek his guidance through prayer, through scripture and fellowship with other believers.

[00:12:15] Ralph Estep, Jr.: So Jenelle and all of our listeners, I encourage you to approach AI with a balance of openness and caution. Embrace the benefits it can bring to your personal life and business. But always filter it through the lens of your faith. Ask yourself this. Does this use of AI help me love God and love my neighbor better? Does it align with biblical principles? Does it enhance or detract from my witness as a Christian? Remember, this technology itself is neutral. It's how we use it that matters. As Christians, we have the opportunity to be at the forefront of ensuring that AI is developed and used in ways to benefit humanity and honor God.

[00:12:56] Ralph Estep, Jr.: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. How are you navigating the world of AI in your life in faith? Send your questions and comments to me at ralph@askralph.com or visit our website at askralph.com and click on the microphone icon at the bottom left to record your message.

[00:13:13] Ralph Estep, Jr.: To wrap up today's discussion. Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that's reshaping our world. As Christians, we have the opportunity to harness its benefits while being mindful of its potential pitfalls. So you have to stay informed. Use discernment to maintain those human connections. Advocate for ethical AI. Focus on stewardship and always remember that true wisdom comes from God.

[00:13:41] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Well, thank you for joining me today on this fascinating topic. Now, tomorrow we're diving into some essential money management tips for individuals and business owners. You don't want to miss it. And if you found today's episode helpful, I'm going to encourage you to visit our website. That's at askralph.com there. You can join our community and share this episode with others who might be wrestling with the intersection of faith and technology.

[00:14:02] Ralph Estep, Jr.: And here's a special offer for you when you join our community, you'll get a free copy of my book, Mastering Your Finances. This book normally sells for $10 on Amazon, but it's yours free when you join our email list. And listen, if you need personalized guidance on managing your finances in this AI-driven world, I'm here to help you. You can schedule an appointment with me just by going to askralphpodcast.com/store. And together we can navigate the complexities of modern finance while staying true to our faith and listen, I'm not AI.

[00:14:33] Ralph Estep, Jr.: So Jenelle, before I go, here are three actionable steps you can take based on today's discussion.

[00:14:37] Ralph Estep, Jr.: Number one. Identify one area of your life or business where you could improve your efficiency. Research AI tools in the area and try one out. Number two. This one's important. Set boundaries for your AI use, maybe decide to turn off AI assistance during family time, or designate AI-free zones in your home. And number three, start a conversation about AI and faith in your church or small group. Share what you've learned and discuss how to approach AI from a Christian perspective. Well, that's all for today. Remember, technology may change but God's wisdom is eternal. So as I always say, stay financially savvy, and God bless you.