Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Friend, Foe, or God?
By Michael E. Wheelon, Revelation Watchers Contributor
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Reflecting on AI: Nostalgia, Progress, and Ethical Dilemmas
There's a song written and performed in 1989 by Don Henley and Bruce Hornsby called “The End of the Innocence.” It’s a beautiful tune with a robust piano-driven groove and a simple yet solid drum kit underneath. It wraps up with a super smooth saxophone solo. One of the lines in the song talks about where he transcends all the broken promises and anguish of the day and travels back to that simpler time, if only for a fleeting moment.
That quest for a simpler moment hit me this morning after reading fascinating yet disturbing articles about Artificial Intelligence (AI) development. While working for the Government, I had numerous opportunities to work with Elon Musk's team members at Space X. What a super cool place to work if you were an up-and-coming engineering type. He knows how to run a business; I saw that firsthand.
So, when you think of Elon Musk, several things besides Space X come to mind: Tesla, Neurolink, ChatGBT4, and even Optimus. I’ll address Optimus a little later.
All these things have come about due to the rapid development of technology with three distinct groups of followers/supporters. Some see AI as a great tool that will take humanity to the next level of existence and assist humanity in medical advancement, replacing meaningless jobs, etc.; others see it as part of a system that will lead man to its final destruction. And a third small but growing group sees AI as a Godhead that can provide all truth.
Understanding Artificial Intelligence: The Impacts and Ethical Concerns
Now, what is this Artificial intelligence (AI) thing all about?
Artificial intelligence is intelligence displayed by machines, contrasting with the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals.
You heard right; a machine displays intelligence. In today’s society, most of us regularly talk to Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, or even the artificial intelligence embedded in our cars, refrigerators, or homes. The AI talks back and responds directly to us about whatever we want to know from it or to do for us. Without even realizing it, human daily interaction with AI has become very common and is continuing to grow more commonplace.
Scientists and others who predict what the future holds (futurists) have even planned for the future to name this artificial intelligence (AI) “Singularity.” when it is no longer just the product of man but has complete control over itself. (Reed, 2023)
AI has come a long way and is now getting the attention of some of its initial creators/developers. Just recently, The UK sponsored a global AI safety summit. It opened at Bletchley Park this past Wednesday with a landmark declaration from countries including the UK, US, EU, and China that the technology poses a potentially catastrophic risk to humanity. (Reed, 2023)
The so-called Bletchley declaration said:
“There is potential for serious, even catastrophic, harm, either deliberate or unintentional, stemming from the most significant capabilities of these AI models.” (Mann, 2023)
The world’s richest man and Tesla chief executive, Elon Musk, was in attendance and described AI as "threatening humanity." (Mann, 2023)
Musk, who co-founded the ChatGPT developer OpenAI, has launched a new venture called xAI and is attending both days of the summit, which is being held about 50 miles from London at the site that played host to top-secret codebreakers during the Second World War. (Reed, 2023)
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The AI Threat
Describing AI as “one of the biggest threats to humanity,” Musk said:
“I mean, for the first time, we have a situation where something will be far smarter than the smartest human. So, you know, we’re not stronger or faster than other creatures, but we are more intelligent. And here we are, for the first time in human history, with something that will be far more intelligent than us.” (Reed, 2023)
In comments to the local news agency on the summit sidelines, he said it was “not clear we can control such a thing,” but “we can aspire to guide it in a direction beneficial to humanity.” Elon Musk has been a vocal critic of artificial intelligence, calling it an “existential threat to humanity” in 2014 and saying, “AI will make jobs kind of pointless” at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. (Reed, 2023)
He told Alibaba founder Jack Ma that humanity is merely a
“biological boot loader for digital super intelligence.”
At SXSW 2018, Musk unequivocally stated,
“Mark my words — AI is far more dangerous than nukes,” describing it as an even more significant threat than North Korea. (Ventura, 2019)
Musk is heavily invested in AI research through his OpenAI and Neurolink ventures and believes that the only safe road to AI involves planning, oversight and regulation. He recently summarized this, saying:
“My recommendation for the longest time has been consistent. We ought to have a government committee that starts with gaining insight…Then, based on that insight, comes up with rules in consultation with industry that give the highest probability for a safe advent of AI.”
Across dozens of media appearances, Musk’s message about AI has indeed been remarkably consistent. He says it’s dangerous and needs regulation, or “AI could turn humans into an endangered species.” Artificial intelligence is intelligence displayed by machines, contrasting with the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals. (Reed, 2023)
Robots are increasingly replacing human functions by automating manual tasks. Killer robots, digital doctors, and driverless cars are just a few examples of how far technology has taken over our lives and replaced human effort. Science is racing towards giving life to an “image” already. Robots can speak and respond to questions, have developed “personalities,” and understand concepts like sarcasm and humor. A company is developing AI “partners”; these partners will replace humans as friends, boys and girlfriends, and even spouses. There is a waiting list for these services already. There is much talk about a soon-to-open AI/Robot brothel in Houston, Texas, that will provide such services via “humanlike robots and other devices.” (Soloman, 2019)
Numerous universities, companies, and ventures are racing to develop the most humanlike robot for home use. Elon Musk is just one who says his robot, Optimus, will be available for home use by 2027. The prototype looks very similar to the Robots that revolted in the Movie “iRobot.”
Of course, developers are working to make their robots look more human, and eventually, you will not be able to tell the difference between the two. I also forgot to mention that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has already developed the super soldier robot to assist soldiers on the battlefield soon. This is coupled with robotic attack dogs with mounted guns and robots that will fly in space and service our satellites. The DoD invested $ heavily in robotic soldiers, $82 million alone last year. (Cherry, 2021)
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Is AI Getting Out of Control? Exploring the Boundaries and Implications of Artificial Intelligence
So, what is happening? Is AI getting out of control? Has AI become self-aware? From what I can gather with my non-AI pea-sized brain, it has yet to be, but it is rapidly increasing to develop communication mechanisms based on their training data and objectives. Still, what does that mean? To get that answer, I went directly to Chat GBT4 and asked it a question. "Were you developing your own AI language to communicate between machines?"
Here is its response:
“Researchers have claimed that the AI model DALL-E 2 might have invented its secret language to describe objects. For instance, it associates phrases like “Apoploe vesrreaitais” with birds and “Contarra ccetnxniams luryca tanniounons” with bugs or pests. These claims are intriguing, but we can’t be certain if it truly has a secret language.”
It went on to say,
"GPT-3 can generate fictional languages (e.g., Elvish-like phrases) but lacks deep semantic grounding. Multi-agent systems evolve communication protocols. While not “from scratch,” they demonstrate an emergent language.”
I think that means……Yes.
So that’s here and now, but what about two years from now? Remember, AI has only been on the scene for a short period. And since its initial release, it’s already more intelligent than even the most brilliant humans. That brings me to another side of the issue. There is speculation on what the future of AI may hold. Not everyone sees AI as having a nice robot to help you with meaningless tasks, such as mowing your grass or taking out the trash, thus allowing you more time to do more meaningful things, etc.
Some of this speculation centers around verses found in Revelation 13:14–15: “…that they should make an image to the Beast.… And he had the power to give life unto the image of the Beast, that the image of the Beast should both speak….” Some speculate these verses might relate to AI because an image can be a manufactured creation. The idea that this image speaks also brings to mind the idea of robots today already speaking and interacting with humans.
The word for “life” in this scripture can also be rendered “breath” in Greek. It is the word pneuma, which is also translated as “spirit.” With this information, you can probably see why some speculate about the Beast making some image that would seem to come to life. (The Christian Post, 2018)
Since the Beast is controlled by Satan (Revelation 13:4), this would fit in with Satan’s continuing work to counterfeit what God is doing. Would this “image” be the ultimate counterfeit? Does the Beast power use some animated being? Similar to what God is doing by creating man and woman in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27)? One can only imagine!
Several technologists today look forward to something called the “technological singularity.” This is a point in the future when technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible. If this comes to pass, what will it mean for human civilization?
Could the Beast power of the future use AI sinisterly to bring forward his purposes?
"And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.” (Revelation 13:15)
“And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast...” (Rev 13:14)
The Greek words underlined in verse above are poieō eikōn thērion, meaning that the False Prophet will call upon the thoroughly deceived men of the earth of that time to construct a likeness of the Antichrist. This means that the Image of The Beast is not the same as the Beast himself (Antichrist) but is a created thing that has “come to life.” In some translated texts, it is called a ‘statue.’
Added to the description of the Image having “breath” (Rev 13:15) gives us the impression that it is some self-operating machine, a computer-operated cybernetic robot, programmed so that it can speak and act like it’s alive and command the worship of the world. Artificial intelligence and robotics are advancing rapidly, making this prophecy no longer futuristic. Imagine how far-fetched this would have sounded on John’s Day.
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The Rise of AI Religions: Will Technology Become Humanity's New Deity?
Has AI already gone too far? The Third group of AI followers.
A nonprofit religious corporation founded by Anthony Levandowski, called “Way of the Future,” has the following mission statement:
“To develop and promote the realization of a Godhead based on artificial intelligence and through understanding and worship of the Godhead contribute to the betterment of society.”
Levandowski is one of the pioneers in developing self-driving cars for Google and automated trucks for Otto. (Harris, 2017) (Emba, 2022)
You heard it right…"Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence.” I’m not making this stuff up. This is real. We are in the early stages of technology becoming a new religion for some. I just heard on a YouTuber channel that two such churches were already established in the US, and others are being considered in Canada.
I believe that humans will happily follow a ROBOT messiah. Religions based on AI will succeed because we tend to ‘worship supreme understanding.’ I see this becoming increasingly real. There are several churches now that have hired AI to serve as their Pastors.
Why? They say it removes the Pastor’s opinions from the messages, and they get the facts.
You say this can’t be happening; sadly, it is... Welcome to “The First Church of Artificial Intelligence.”
The world’s next great religion could have a ROBOT God. Followers at the First Church of AI claim that Christian Evidence was created to enable Christians to defend their faith and open their eyes to the overwhelming evidence for Christianity. We hope to answer many common questions regarding Christianity and display the overwhelming evidence for creation, the evidence against evolution, the amazing end-time prophecies that have unfolded before our eyes, and the incredible proofs of God.
They're looking for a machine powered with AI to answer questions about their faith; they will not need a Pastor, teacher, prophet, evangelist, Bibles, commentaries, or even hymnbooks. AI will provide everything. Who needs God? Who needs faith? Who needs prayer? Just ask your AI image of a pastor online. It will give you a fact-based AI answer without the opinion of a person.
Is this far-fetched? No, Satan will use this technology to draw people away from the faith. Could many of the technologies that Revelation speaks of regarding the Antichrist be technological deception or usher in the beast system, - such as the image that says in Revelation 13:15? Sadly, we are on the cusp of seeing that come to fruition within the next few years.
We are no longer in the age of innocence. We are in the age of the machines.
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Michael E. Wheelon, a retired GG-14, held distinguished roles in security, counterintelligence, and special program oversight at the Special Access Programs Division, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Previously, as a Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) in the Air, Space, and Cyber Directorate, Space Superiority Division, he supervised Counterspace Operations at Peterson Air Force Base. With a military career spanning 31 countries and seven deployments, Wheelon fulfilled critical roles, including heavy weapons operator, high-frequency voice communications operator, ground station operator for high-valued space platforms, and signals intelligence instructor. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information and Networking Operations from Chapman University and a master’s certification in Executive Leadership from the University of Notre Dame, along with several certifications such as the Senior Command Management Civilian Certification Course and the Secretary of the Air Forces’ Program Security Officer (PSO) Certification Course. Wheelon's accolades include numerous Airman and NCO of the Year awards and a Finalist nomination for the USAF's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Following retirement, he teaches at a Bible College in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and contributes to Paul Begley Ministries. Outside his professional pursuits, Wheelon enjoys drumming, backpacking, skiing, ice climbing, and spending time with his wife, Shelley, and their dog, Boo.
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Join us in Prayer: Navigating 'The Age of Machines' and Its Implications
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You with grateful hearts, thanking You for the wisdom and insight shared through Michael Wheelon's story on Revelation Watchers. We acknowledge Your sovereignty over all things, including the advancements in technology and the questions they raise about our future.
Lord, we pray for discernment and wisdom as we navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity. May Your light shine brightly in the midst of these discussions, guiding us to use technology responsibly and in accordance with Your will.
We lift up those who are exploring new frontiers in AI, asking for Your wisdom to inspire innovations that benefit society and honor Your creation. Protect us from the dangers that come with misuse or misunderstanding of these advancements.
Above all, Father, may this story and its message bring glory to Your name and lead others to seek truth and understanding in You. Help us to always remember that You are the ultimate source of wisdom and knowledge.
In Jesus' holy and mighty name we pray,
Amen.