Unfortunately, we also see companies using A.I. to create "replicas" of deceased loved ones. In my opinion, this multiplies the already significant dangers of A.I. companionship apps by adding another layer of emotional attachment. It could also blur the lines between fantasy and reality to the point where people find themselves engaged in willful attempts to "consult with the dead" - one of many practices the Lord finds detestable (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). Thank you for tackling this subject, Scott! It's a big one, and the church must be engaged.
Hey Britt, thanks for stopping by. Yes, Satan’s old schemes on display. Necromancy is an abomination…but now it’s in your pocket wherever you go. It makes my gut churn. I appreciate all you do, Brother! Keep up the great work! #maranatha
Hi Britt, I agree, the Church must be engaged. But how does it do that? I remember years ago we went to a Church that had this thing called “Parish Pastors.” They were divided up by geographic areas and every month they would call you on the phone and ask how are you doing? Have you found a small group yet? or whatever. And then, can I pray for you? Then they would pray right there with you on the phone! I always wondered why more Churches didn’t do that? We have never found another one like that since. To bad. It really worked. We felt loved and cared about by our Church. 🆕
Sounds like the days of Noah to me. Time to get in the Ark? Close the door? Many will fall for these robots. People need companionship and can’t find it. Is the Church safe? For some, it seems. Perhaps more for the Marthas than for the Marys. My husband and I worship from home, mostly. We have looked and looked for a Church that works for us, and finally found one. But it is down the road a piece. We talk often about actually moving there. We love the people and go in person as often as we can. But it is God we really need. Without Him, the world is a very lonely place. He takes the edge off, every day. 🆕
Kris, this series is going to be very thought provoking for the Church. Glad you two found a good Church. I used to drive 1 hour each way back in the Midwest. It was worth every mile.
Thank you so much for this article and series Scott! I so appreciate your heart that beats with His. I began thinking about this after one of your round tables, in the case of elderly, lonely people. And families trying to care for them. How convenient to provide an AI assistant, friend
Ultimately could replace human caregivers. Tragic!!!
Mary Beth, that’s why I believe the Church needs to catch up. Is it too late? Will we put down our God-given mandates to an AI? I’m very concerned that we won’t act in time. Keep praying for people to wake up!
I too am becoming very concerned at the total continued world wide web of deceit and it is very scary but at the same time as stated both wisdom and dicernment are needed 24/7 where we literally also have to have 'our wits about us' and total reliance on His Holy Spirit. The world as we know is becoming so very dark where again as mentioned, folks (including Christians to a large degree) are more reliant on this world wide web of deceit rather than foming actual physical friendships in a physical church. Sadly though, regarding my latter point, this is no longer easy to find a Biblically Sound Rock Solid Church Family in the physical sense but Brother Scott, you have also raised points about this in previous 'The Kitchen Table' series. Marantha Bo Yeshua Bo
In the increasing darkness we see all around us, we have the opportunity to be brighter light and tastier salt simply by the differential. Will we seize the opportunity to help people—both inside and outside the Church…or, will we slink back into the warm and cozy embrace of mediocrity in these Last Days? That is rhetorical. We need to STAND UP and finish well. The finish line is coming. #maranatha
Scott, People are moving from living life as the creator intended and moving into a closed fantasy world which they create for themself and control. In a world where they are their own God provided by AI and technology.
This is causing much of the mental health problems we are seeing for the reasons you indicated in your article.
I agree, James. Virtual reality and those crazy Meta sunglasses are going to add a whole new level of addiction. Right into the brain. Slaves snared by the duration of their battery life. It’s awful to think about.
People who are using AI companions are people who were not born into or given a normal human community. Humans will seek satisfaction of their needs by the most resource efficient method available in the absence of any external motivation. AI companions fill a vacuum and give the experience of the satisfaction of human needs, they're a symptom, not a cause.
Yes, I agree, which is why the Church needs to step up. It hurst thinking about all the unmet needs. Quite the contrast from Acts 2. Next week I will share more about the impact of these companions.
I wonder if these AI companions would have attracted so many people if we hadn't already undergone the psychological trauma of the lockdowns? Was that a tipping point for already lonely and vulnerable individuals craving some kind of interaction? And going forward, what happens when 15-minute cities become a reality and movement is curtailed? Will there be increased reliance on artificial everything, including relationships?
So glad you're doing this series, Scott. It's a wake up call.
Caroline, yes, 2020 broke people. I don't think we'll see 15-minute cities, but movement could be curtained if we see AI enforced ESG policies wired to our CDBC purchases.
Yes, AI companions are going to skyrocket. The next time there is *any* major disruption, people will flock to these "soothing voices" without discernment. They will mistake the AI for a "helpful assistant" without hearing the hiss of the enemy. John 10:10 comes to mind.
Scott, what do you mean by AI companions? Are you saying just using ChatGPT makes it a "companion"? I use it for work, but I wouldn't consider it a companion. I understand the concerns you've listed for people who are engaging with it as if it's a relationship.
In my mind, this is another step past Instagram, Facebook, and other social media. People have been engaging electronically more than in person, especially younger people. And the danger is now we have a much more sophisticated and clever way of doing so, as the AI is always there to "like" and comment, affirm, etc.
Hi Evie, no. The ChatGPTs of the world are far more general purpose and used successfully in work all the time. AI companions also use LLMs but are trained have a narrower focus. Sycophancy is a very serious problem and the weak minded don’t perceive the dangers.
Thank you, Scott, for this warning. I might scoff and consider that, because I am in my 80s this would never happen to me were my husband to go 'home' before me because I am too set in my ways (we are isolated here in Cyprus and have failed at the language plus there is not an English-speaking church here on the island which preaches not only the gospel, but eschatology and support for the Jewish people.) but I am only too well aware of how subtle the enemy is!
It behves us all, regardless of our age to never consider we are invincible - we need to be walking as closely as possible with Jesus ALL the time for the days are truly becoming darker.
Thank you for taking the time to respondind but I found your response a little too judgmental for my liking. After all, you have never walked in my shoes and you know nothing about my life's experiences. You should rather thank God that you believe so deeply and pray for your 'weaker' brethren.
Throwing a load of scripture at somebody you do not know is not, at least for me, at all helpful. Don't get me wrong I believe in the inerrancy of scripture but it will take more than my lifetime to be as certain as you obviously are.
I still maintain that what I said was a valid point of view, I see nothing in the Bible which would encourage such triumphalism. And I take comfort in the fact that some incredibly well-known Bible teachers are not walking around 100% sure of what they believe 24/7.
It seems to me that your comment was designed to promote your website rather than bring comfort but I accept I could be wrong.
Absolute balderdash, you have no idea who my Bible teachers are or have been. I am now quite angry not only at your need to stress my age but your serious lack of compassion. Out of respect for Scott, I am asking you not to comment any longer as I now intend to.
Unfortunately, we also see companies using A.I. to create "replicas" of deceased loved ones. In my opinion, this multiplies the already significant dangers of A.I. companionship apps by adding another layer of emotional attachment. It could also blur the lines between fantasy and reality to the point where people find themselves engaged in willful attempts to "consult with the dead" - one of many practices the Lord finds detestable (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). Thank you for tackling this subject, Scott! It's a big one, and the church must be engaged.
Hey Britt, thanks for stopping by. Yes, Satan’s old schemes on display. Necromancy is an abomination…but now it’s in your pocket wherever you go. It makes my gut churn. I appreciate all you do, Brother! Keep up the great work! #maranatha
Hi Britt, I agree, the Church must be engaged. But how does it do that? I remember years ago we went to a Church that had this thing called “Parish Pastors.” They were divided up by geographic areas and every month they would call you on the phone and ask how are you doing? Have you found a small group yet? or whatever. And then, can I pray for you? Then they would pray right there with you on the phone! I always wondered why more Churches didn’t do that? We have never found another one like that since. To bad. It really worked. We felt loved and cared about by our Church. 🆕
Yesteryear…ahh…it seems so distant. Come Lord!!! Help us all finish well.
Sounds like the days of Noah to me. Time to get in the Ark? Close the door? Many will fall for these robots. People need companionship and can’t find it. Is the Church safe? For some, it seems. Perhaps more for the Marthas than for the Marys. My husband and I worship from home, mostly. We have looked and looked for a Church that works for us, and finally found one. But it is down the road a piece. We talk often about actually moving there. We love the people and go in person as often as we can. But it is God we really need. Without Him, the world is a very lonely place. He takes the edge off, every day. 🆕
Kris, this series is going to be very thought provoking for the Church. Glad you two found a good Church. I used to drive 1 hour each way back in the Midwest. It was worth every mile.
Thank you so much for this article and series Scott! I so appreciate your heart that beats with His. I began thinking about this after one of your round tables, in the case of elderly, lonely people. And families trying to care for them. How convenient to provide an AI assistant, friend
Ultimately could replace human caregivers. Tragic!!!
Blessings Scott!!
Mary Beth, that’s why I believe the Church needs to catch up. Is it too late? Will we put down our God-given mandates to an AI? I’m very concerned that we won’t act in time. Keep praying for people to wake up!
I fear many will, and are, yielding. The Convenience of it all is so alluring, even to the church
I too am becoming very concerned at the total continued world wide web of deceit and it is very scary but at the same time as stated both wisdom and dicernment are needed 24/7 where we literally also have to have 'our wits about us' and total reliance on His Holy Spirit. The world as we know is becoming so very dark where again as mentioned, folks (including Christians to a large degree) are more reliant on this world wide web of deceit rather than foming actual physical friendships in a physical church. Sadly though, regarding my latter point, this is no longer easy to find a Biblically Sound Rock Solid Church Family in the physical sense but Brother Scott, you have also raised points about this in previous 'The Kitchen Table' series. Marantha Bo Yeshua Bo
In the increasing darkness we see all around us, we have the opportunity to be brighter light and tastier salt simply by the differential. Will we seize the opportunity to help people—both inside and outside the Church…or, will we slink back into the warm and cozy embrace of mediocrity in these Last Days? That is rhetorical. We need to STAND UP and finish well. The finish line is coming. #maranatha
“An industry built on loneliness”-how true! Thanks for your timely commentary coming from a technological and Biblical worldview.
Thank you, Becky! I hope you continue reading the series.
Scott, People are moving from living life as the creator intended and moving into a closed fantasy world which they create for themself and control. In a world where they are their own God provided by AI and technology.
This is causing much of the mental health problems we are seeing for the reasons you indicated in your article.
I agree, James. Virtual reality and those crazy Meta sunglasses are going to add a whole new level of addiction. Right into the brain. Slaves snared by the duration of their battery life. It’s awful to think about.
People who are using AI companions are people who were not born into or given a normal human community. Humans will seek satisfaction of their needs by the most resource efficient method available in the absence of any external motivation. AI companions fill a vacuum and give the experience of the satisfaction of human needs, they're a symptom, not a cause.
Yes, I agree, which is why the Church needs to step up. It hurst thinking about all the unmet needs. Quite the contrast from Acts 2. Next week I will share more about the impact of these companions.
Maranatha! Love you, brother!
Thank you, Joe—I’m enjoying your content, keep up the great work!
Now that I have read this article where do I go for Part 2? Can't find a link.
Thank you. DMH
Life changing information...passing it on to key people in my church, life and Bible studies
I wonder if these AI companions would have attracted so many people if we hadn't already undergone the psychological trauma of the lockdowns? Was that a tipping point for already lonely and vulnerable individuals craving some kind of interaction? And going forward, what happens when 15-minute cities become a reality and movement is curtailed? Will there be increased reliance on artificial everything, including relationships?
So glad you're doing this series, Scott. It's a wake up call.
Caroline, yes, 2020 broke people. I don't think we'll see 15-minute cities, but movement could be curtained if we see AI enforced ESG policies wired to our CDBC purchases.
Yes, AI companions are going to skyrocket. The next time there is *any* major disruption, people will flock to these "soothing voices" without discernment. They will mistake the AI for a "helpful assistant" without hearing the hiss of the enemy. John 10:10 comes to mind.
I'm working on Part 3 later tonight!
Scott, what do you mean by AI companions? Are you saying just using ChatGPT makes it a "companion"? I use it for work, but I wouldn't consider it a companion. I understand the concerns you've listed for people who are engaging with it as if it's a relationship.
In my mind, this is another step past Instagram, Facebook, and other social media. People have been engaging electronically more than in person, especially younger people. And the danger is now we have a much more sophisticated and clever way of doing so, as the AI is always there to "like" and comment, affirm, etc.
Hi Evie, no. The ChatGPTs of the world are far more general purpose and used successfully in work all the time. AI companions also use LLMs but are trained have a narrower focus. Sycophancy is a very serious problem and the weak minded don’t perceive the dangers.
Thank you, Scott, for this warning. I might scoff and consider that, because I am in my 80s this would never happen to me were my husband to go 'home' before me because I am too set in my ways (we are isolated here in Cyprus and have failed at the language plus there is not an English-speaking church here on the island which preaches not only the gospel, but eschatology and support for the Jewish people.) but I am only too well aware of how subtle the enemy is!
It behves us all, regardless of our age to never consider we are invincible - we need to be walking as closely as possible with Jesus ALL the time for the days are truly becoming darker.
Thank you for taking the time to respondind but I found your response a little too judgmental for my liking. After all, you have never walked in my shoes and you know nothing about my life's experiences. You should rather thank God that you believe so deeply and pray for your 'weaker' brethren.
Throwing a load of scripture at somebody you do not know is not, at least for me, at all helpful. Don't get me wrong I believe in the inerrancy of scripture but it will take more than my lifetime to be as certain as you obviously are.
I still maintain that what I said was a valid point of view, I see nothing in the Bible which would encourage such triumphalism. And I take comfort in the fact that some incredibly well-known Bible teachers are not walking around 100% sure of what they believe 24/7.
It seems to me that your comment was designed to promote your website rather than bring comfort but I accept I could be wrong.
Absolute balderdash, you have no idea who my Bible teachers are or have been. I am now quite angry not only at your need to stress my age but your serious lack of compassion. Out of respect for Scott, I am asking you not to comment any longer as I now intend to.