AI: A Powerful Tool, But Beware the Pitfalls

Recently, I had the privilege to learn more about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Last month, I attended a 2-day AI course organized by SMU academy, and also, during the Four Seas Lectureship, bro Jonathan Burns delivered an insightful lesson about using AI in our Bible study. In both sessions, I have learnt a similar takeaway: AI may be powerful, but we need to be wary of the potential pitfalls.

In using AI chatbots (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity etc.), we have the power to accomplish tasks with even greater speed and efficiency. We can complete assignments without going through the hard labour, because AI has the power to “think” and do our work for us. For example, AI has the power to:

• Analyze documents, data and trends

• Generate text documents, reports, summaries, itineraries and more

• Create images and presentations

• Compare options and make recommendations

• Interact through conversation and perform role-play

Even the Singapore government has publicly recognized that the AI is the future, and we need to be ready to embrace it. However, as we begin to unleash its power, we need also to be aware of the pitfalls, so that we will not get ourselves into trouble. Fire is powerful, but fire can burn. Let’s be careful not to get burnt.

1. Beware lies

AI gets its information from the web. The web contains all sorts of information, both truthful and untruthful. AI may be programmed to sift out, to a certain extent, the lies from the truth. However, the program is not perfect. Furthermore, AI has been known to hallucinate! AI has been found to churn out, from time to time, fake information and even non-existent internet sources. Hence, we need to be wise to analyze for ourselves the responses that we receive from AI, to determine if it is legitimate or not. We need to double check and verify.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)

2. Beware false doctrine

AI can be useful to help us with Bible questions. However, since AI gets its information from the internet, its responses may include denominational sources (and even sources from other religious websites). Hence, we cannot expect AI’s response to be trustworthy (since the internet is not trustworthy). To improve AI’s response, here’s some suggested prompts we can type out: “I am a Christian from the church of Christ,” “Use the KJV Bible only” and “Use the New Testament to provide an answer.” Ultimately, we need to always double-check with what the Bible really says (Acts 17:11). Someone once said, “Do not be a believer of AI and a critic of the Bible; Be a believer of the Bible and a critic of AI.”

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1)

3. Beware thieves

This has been seldom highlighted, but there are a lot of privacy concerns related to AI. The AI system is like a neural network (similar to our brains): it is a complicated, interconnected system. Hence, any information that enters the AI system remains there forever. Any private information that we input into AI (e.g. personal details, pictures etc.) will enter into the system inevitably. Apparently, the AI programmers have put in place “guardrails” to prevent private information from being leaked out, but we really cannot guarantee that any private information within the AI system is safe. Scammers are always on the lookout to steal our private information in order to scam us. Hence, let us be careful: do not put any private information/photos into AI. Additional tip: under your AI personal settings, do not allow AI to record or use your content for “training purposes.”

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)

4. Beware Impersonators

Due to AI technology, it has become possible to create photos and videos that show celebrities and famous persons saying things that they have never said (i.e. deepfake). Such photos and videos are becoming increasingly realistic and sophisticated. It becomes so easy for scammers to cheat unwitting victims using such technology. Hence, we need to be wary of anything that we see on the internet, so as not to be fooled by AI generated images and videos. When in doubt, double check and verify with trusted sources.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

5. Beware laziness

Since AI has the ability to analyze, evaluate, and generate documents, many have turned to AI to do the work for them. Students have turned to AI to generate their homework and assignments, instead of doing it themselves. Christians (and preachers) have turned to AI to generate their sermon outlines, instead of preparing it themselves. Although AI can indeed help us in our Bible study, an over reliance on AI promotes laziness. When we rely on AI to do the “Bible study” for us, this will hinder our personal growth. When teachers do not prepare their lessons for themselves, they will be ill-prepared to teach. Hence, let us beware laziness, and do our due diligence to study God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15).

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)

6. Beware discredit

It is often difficult to distinguish AI-generated content from original content. Many people have generated AI content and passed it off as their own (even profiting from such). Given the nature of AI-generated content, legislators are having a difficult time drafting the necessary laws to govern the use of AI. In the church, Christians (and preachers) can preach an AI-generated sermon and pass it off as their own. While we may be tempted to do this, we need to consider that such actions may result in discredit towards ourselves. Just as teachers can often distinguish a student’s original work from a plagiarized work, it is entirely possible for others to identify if our work is original or AI-generated. If we are being found out, this will result in embarrassment and discredit.

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known (Luke 12:2)

Concluding remarks

AI is a powerful tool, and it is apparently here to stay. We can learn to use it for good and profitable means. However, let us be wary of the pitfalls, so that we will not get hurt by it. Instead of putting our trust in AI, let us put our trust in God. Instead of letting AI study the Bible, let us study the Bible for ourselves. Let us be wise and discerning users of AI.