As a technologist or technology professional, I am often amused at some of the things I hear people say about tech, and the frequent misunderstandings.
But the advent of AI, has made that somewhat more amusing at times and at times disheartening.
I have heard so many odd, strange or outlandish claims regarding AI, that are beyond amusing at this point. From, “AI will take over the world”, “AI is the new “God” that will save the world”, and AI is the literal “anti-christ” in Revelation! And the most oft repeated, AI is killing jobs. I just had to respond! Have jobs been lost due to AI? Of course, it would take an idiot to deny that! But consider, more jobs are also created. Jobs for people supporting AI, working in AI etc. This has been the way of “technology and advancement” since the invention of the combine or the industrial revolution!
The AI industry itself has not helped this cause. Use of the term “generative AI” has led to significant confusion about what AI chat does for instance.
AI cannot compose or create anything that is new, novel or never before written.. AI, but especially Chat GPT is not capable of writing, composing, creating or otherwise coming up with content that is original, from whole cloth or any other definition. It cannot compose. It cannot write. It cannot think. It cannot respond in any way that is original… or that it has not learned or been taught from something that already existed.
Therefore, any “content” that it helps a user to develop, will be by nature and definition based upon dozens of other writings, or hundreds of other writings or content that was written before, by someone else, thus, the numerous copyright infringement cases cropping up!
Chat GPT stands for "Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer". That means that the application is designed, built or coded using “large language models” (think huge, fancy database”) that have been pre trained to respond to prompts or text with predictive text… not unlike predictive text on your phone.
The large language learning model, simply means, that they coded into the application a gazillion words, sentences, word combinations, definitions and text from a gazillion sources.
ChatGPT is essentially a more powerful, fancier version of the predictive text system on our phones, which suggests words to complete a sentence when we are typing by using what it has learned from vast amounts of data scraped off the web.
Or think… google on steroids. It is just a giant search engine. It has also been compared to a huge vacuum that has sucked all this information up from thousands or millions of sources… and some could be wrong sources! Some could be contradictory! Thus, the “hallucinations” or random gibberish or absolute stupid crap that sometimes spews forth from a chat bot.
AI, as it is today anyway… performs a narrowly defined task. For example, virtual assistants can recognize speech and search the internet. However, these virtual assistants cannot reason, plan or integrate knowledge the way that a human being can. They are really good at what they have been made to do and utterly incapable of moving beyond this narrow form of intelligence. Unlike human intelligence, which is a mile wide and an inch deep, AI as we know it today is a mile deep and an inch wide.
I am often fond of saying, AI is really kinda stupid! Why else would an image generation app create a person with 2 noses, 3 ears, 8 fingers, 3 legs, a fire inside a tent in a camping scene?
Or, ask any chat bot app, “of the 50 states that comprise the United States of America, how many states have a capitol city that begins with the letter A”. I will bet you that 99 times of 100, it will get that wrong! There are five! Most often, Augusta Maine is missed, but sometimes Austin, Texas is left out. Does that really sound like something that will take over the world?
Artificial Intelligence, the Antichrist, and the Real Threats to Humanity: A Theological and Technological Perspective
Throughout history, humanity has frequently identified various perceived threats as the ultimate danger to civilization. In the modern era, some have proposed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents either an existential threat comparable to Satan or even the emergence of the Antichrist itself. These claims, while dramatic, are built upon misunderstandings—both theological and technological.
AI: A Non-Sentient Tool, Not an Independent Agent
AI, at its core, is a computational system designed to process vast amounts of data and generate outputs based on patterns. It has no will, no emotions, and no intrinsic morality. Unlike human beings, AI does not possess a soul (Genesis 2:7), does not experience consciousness, and cannot exercise moral agency. In short… it is a TECHNOLOGY. To put at its simplest, it is a bunch of 1s and 0s, running along wires and circuit boards, in a huge metal grey box in the digital “cloud”. It is no more capable of independent thought, moral reasoning, morality, ethical judgement, or sentience than a flat rock! AI is something we should all treat with a healthy sense of wariness, but the knee-jerk, superstitious reactions so common to the topic are unhelpful and may well create stumbling blocks for one's neighbors. AI isn't some infernal consciousness floating in the ether. It's a tool, like a hammer or a refrigerator or an F-22, and like any of these things, it can be used for good purposes or ill by sinners
1. AI Lacks Sentience and Intent
Sentience—the ability to experience emotions, self-awareness, and subjective thought—is essential for moral responsibility. Humans, made in the image of God (Imago Dei), have the capacity for love, repentance, and faith. AI, however, is fundamentally an advanced statistical prediction model. It does not "think" in the way that a human does; rather, it processes input and generates output based on predefined algorithms.
2. AI Is Amoral by Design
Morality requires free will—the ability to discern good from evil and to make choices accordingly. AI does not possess free will. It executes functions within the limits of its programming and training data. It can reflect human biases if improperly trained, but it cannot act with malevolence or virtue of its own accord. ANY “morality” or amorality is the morality or amorality of the designer, developer, creator etc.
3. AI Is a Human-Created Technology, Not a Spiritual Entity
Unlike demons or Satan, AI is not a fallen spiritual being. It is the product of human ingenuity, much like electricity, the printing press, or the internet. While technology can be misused—just as fire can be used for warmth or destruction—AI itself has no inherent moral alignment. To fear AI as an independent evil force is to misunderstand both its nature and limitations.
The Antichrist, as described in Scripture, is not an impersonal technology but a human or demonic entity actively opposing Christ. The Bible offers several key characteristics of the Antichrist that AI fundamentally cannot fulfill.
1. The Antichrist Is a Deceiver with Personal Agency
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 describes the "man of lawlessness" who exalts himself against God.
Revelation 13 depicts a beast that deceives humanity, demands worship, and performs signs.
AI, as a machine, cannot "deceive" in a biblical sense. Deception requires intent, malice, and personal will—qualities that AI lacks. While AI can be misused for deception (e.g., deepfake videos), the responsibility for such deception rests on the humans who wield it, not on AI itself.
2. The Antichrist Seeks Worship
The Antichrist, according to Revelation 13:15, demands worship and sets itself against God. AI does not and cannot seek worship; it lacks self-awareness, ambition, or desire. While some may misuse AI in religious or idolatrous ways, this does not mean AI itself is the Antichrist—it is merely a tool, much like the internet or social media.
3. The Antichrist Is a Persecutor of the Saints
Scripture presents the Antichrist as an active persecutor of believers (Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:7). AI, being non-sentient, has no power or motive to persecute Christians or any other group. Governments or malicious individuals may use AI for oppression, but the moral culpability remains with those who wield the tool, not the technology itself.
4. The Antichrist Operates Under Satanic Influence
The Antichrist is empowered by Satan (Revelation 13:2). AI, being a mathematical and technological construct, has no spiritual dimension. It does not operate under demonic influence any more than a telephone or a car does.
Rather than AI itself being an existential or spiritual threat, the true dangers lie in how humanity uses it.
1. The Fallen Nature of Man
Human sin is the root of all moral and spiritual crises. AI will never be more dangerous than the people who program, train, and deploy it. As Jesus teaches in Mark 7:20-23, "What comes out of a person is what defiles them." Technology can be used for good or evil, but the responsibility always falls upon the human heart.
2. Idolatry and Misplaced Trust
A genuine spiritual danger arises when humans place their trust in AI over God—seeking AI for wisdom, guidance, or moral decision-making in place of Scripture and the Holy Spirit. However, this is no different from past human idolatries, whether it be reliance on money, power, or political ideologies.
3. Ethical and Social Misuse of AI
The true risks of AI lie in its misuse—deepfakes, surveillance overreach, job displacement, and bias in decision-making systems. These are practical concerns, not eschatological ones. The Church’s response should be ethical stewardship, ensuring that AI is used in ways that align with justice, truth, and human dignity.
A Call to Wisdom, Not Fear
AI is not Satan, nor is it the Antichrist. It is a tool—powerful, yes, but devoid of independent will, morality, or spiritual significance. The real battle is not against AI, but against the sin and deception that have always threatened humanity.
Rather than fearing AI as an autonomous evil, Christians should seek wisdom and discernment. Just as the printing press was used to spread both truth and falsehood, AI must be guided by ethical and godly principles. The Church’s role is to lead in righteousness, advocating for justice, truth, and the responsible use of technology in a way that honors God.
Thus, our response should not be one of alarm, but of engagement, stewardship, and trust in the sovereignty of God—knowing that no technology, no power, and no deception will ever overcome the truth of Christ. As Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." AI, like all things, remains under that authority.
Most recently, I saw this comment on a post about AI being the thing humanity needs to dear most with Satan. And I had to respond, the fallacious logic hurts…
“I have never understood why geeks and scientists think it is important or an accomplishment to take function away from humans and make them irrelevant.”
My initial response was laughter, and thinking to myself… hum… don’t like the industrial revolution? And what about the combine? LOL
This comment fundamentally misunderstands the purpose and nature of technological advancement. The claim that scientists and engineers are intentionally striving to "make humans irrelevant" assumes that progress is inherently adversarial to human purpose, rather than what it actually is—an extension of human capability. This is a misunderstanding similar to arguing that the invention of the combine harvester was a threat to farmers rather than a tool that enhanced their productivity.
The Absurdity of the Argument: The Combine Harvester Example
Imagine someone in the early 19th century declaring:
"I have never understood why engineers think it is important or an accomplishment to take farming away from humans and make them irrelevant!"
Before the invention of the mechanical harvester, harvesting wheat was backbreaking labor requiring large numbers of workers with scythes. The introduction of the McCormick reaper (1831) and later the combine harvester did not "make humans irrelevant"; rather, it allowed fewer people to accomplish more, freeing them for other types of work—including new advancements in industry, medicine, education, and science.
If we applied the same logic used to criticize AI, we would have to also reject:
The steam engine, which replaced human and animal labor for transportation.
The printing press, which reduced the need for scribes but vastly expanded access to knowledge.
Electricity, which automated tasks that once required human effort.
AI Is Just Another Tool Like the Combine
Artificial Intelligence functions much like a combine—it automates certain repetitive or time-consuming tasks, allowing humans to focus on higher-order work. Just as a combine doesn’t "replace farmers" but rather enhances their efficiency, AI doesn’t replace people so much as it enables them to work smarter.
Consider the medical field:
AI assists in analyzing medical scans, speeding up diagnosis times, and reducing human error. It does not "replace doctors" but makes their work more effective.
In manufacturing, AI-powered automation reduces workplace injuries by taking over hazardous, repetitive tasks, much like how machines took over dangerous labor in coal mines and steel mills.
I will soon, myself, undergo surgery to remove my prostate. This procedure will be a “robotically assisted” procedure, using robots, and AI to assist. This has become very common in recent years with many advantages: Minimizing the risk of incontinence and impotence.
I, for one, am grateful to God for this advancement in technology!
As a believing Christian, I believe:
“All things come from You, and of Your own have we given You” (1 Chronicles 29:14). This verse reminds us that everything—seen and unseen—comes from God. Scripture affirms that nothing exists apart from His creative will (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3). This includes the knowledge and creativity enabling human advancements like technology and AI, which are gifts from God intended for good.
Martin Luther, in the Small Catechism, teaches that God gives us our reason and senses, showing that human intellect itself is from Him. Thus, technology arises from God-given faculties. However, while all things come from God, not every use of His gifts is pleasing to Him. Technology is morally neutral; its good or evil depends on human use. Like fire that can warm or destroy, AI can serve or harm. Evil stems not from the tool but from human sin (Mark 7:21-23).
Christians are called to use God’s gifts with gratitude, love, and care for others. Technology should serve God’s purposes of mercy and justice. In the end, all things—including AI—are from God, given to bless humanity and glorify Him. Misuse reflects human sinfulness, but faithful use honors the Creator.
Technology Always Requires Balance, Not Rejection
The assertion that all advancements must "strike a balance" between human involvement and automation is historically inaccurate. Some technologies, like the telephone switchboard operator, have been largely eliminated because they were unnecessary as systems advanced. However, just as tractors did not eliminate farmers, AI will not eliminate human work—it will reshape it.
The Real Question: How Do We Use AI?
The responsible question is not "How do we stop progress?" but "How do we guide progress ethically?" Just as the Industrial Revolution created new jobs and economic opportunities while displacing older ones, AI will create new roles while changing existing ones. The real danger is not AI itself but how society adapts to these changes—through education, workforce training, and ethical deployment.
Conclusion
The idea that AI is about making humans "irrelevant" is as flawed as claiming the combine harvester made farming irrelevant. It is an emotional reaction to change rather than a reasoned argument. History has shown that every major technological breakthrough enhances human capability rather than eliminating it. AI is no different.
