AI and Robotics (Part 1) – Fear — Faith and Finances Ministry
This article is the first in an ongoing series discussing how AI and robotics will affect us and how we can choose to respond. The subject is massive, revolutionary, and emergent, so I’ll try to approach it with humility, being willing to change my views as the situation changes. I’m sure this next decade will be a huge change for all of us, much like when cities became electrified.
The Synergy Between AI and Robotics
The advances in both fields are stunning in and of themselves. Robots have been building our cars and vacuuming our floors for decades, but recent advances in humanoid robotics are revolutionary (if you watch the video links, it adds tremendous color to the article). When you combine AI and robotics, you get walking, talking, highly productive machines. These agile robots appear to be on track to replace large swaths of human labor.
These robots won’t just be sorting boxes, but they’ll be able to do more complex tasks like directing traffic, household chores, caregiving, and just about anything else you can think of. It won’t just be humanoid robots displacing workers, but all types of mechanical systems coupled with AI like robotaxis. It is unclear how many displaced human workers will find work in new industries.
Imagine the Terminator T-800 (without an Austrian accent) having all the world’s knowledge at its disposal with the latest, lightning-fast Nvidia processor chips powering its mind. Now imagine millions of them working in industry and service jobs. In the next few years, Elon Musk aims to mass produce millions of Optimus Tesla robots which he predicts will be “the biggest product of all time by far.”
AI has recently entered the public consciousness, with the introduction of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. The public now has access to PhD-level intelligence for only $20 per month. As such, white-collar jobs appear to be equally as threatened as blue-collar jobs.
My First Gut Reaction - Fear
“You will always fear what you don’t understand.” -Falcone in movie Batman Begins
Fear is my first gut reaction. I fear unemployment (mostly for my children), and societal chaos caused by rapid, disorderly changes. Humans may value each other’s God-given soul and individuality, but will the power elite in governments and corporations still value people? With the way incentive structures are currently set up, can they possibly value people? See my 2019 book review of WILL YOU BE RICHER OR POORER? Profit, Power and A.I. in a Traumatized World by Charles Hugh Smith.
I fear dictatorial governments and power-hungry corporations will use these technologies to control every aspect of our lives. How much room will there be for faith in God, in a world of potentially endless information and abundance (or scarcity depending on how this unfolds)? I am a lot less concerned about a Skynet-style robot take over if true artificial superintelligence is achieved, but many of the AI pioneers themselves have been warning the public of various radical scenarios.
Jesus Says: Do Not Worry
Summarizing the end of Matthew 6, Jesus says: God knows what you need, seek his kingdom and righteousness, and he will take care of you. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34
If there ever was an age, we need to look to and trust Jesus’ words, perhaps it is now. That doesn’t mean we should pretend AI and robotics don’t exist, but as we will explore, we need to react with wisdom and faith.
For further study, here is a list of Scriptures on various topics. For a broader spiritual view on hard work, saving, investing, and other topics, read Faith and Finances or do the Building Faith and Finances course.
