What *does* it mean to be human? Oh, yeah, and sex robots.
In her own blog post, Eve Poole writes, “My friend is writing a book on robot sex. He’s a professor of ethics, so that’s his day job. And jobs seem to be what it’s all about; widespread panic that the robots are going to put us all out of business.”[1]
Interesting.
I listened to a podcast in which Poole talks about how if robots take over sex acts, we will be in great trouble, not because they won’t know how to accomplish the deed, but because consent will be an issue.[2] To which I have to ask, if we are programming the robot, then shouldn’t we be able to program consent into the robot?
Whew. Sex robots was not a topic I thought I would address in this doctoral program!
And I’m going to stop for now. Not because this topic isn’t fascinating but because it is only part of a much bigger issue.
In her book Robot Souls, Eve Poole addresses the larger issue, what makes us human versus what makes a robot, well, a robot? “Whether or not – and when- the robots will take over is a moot point,” Poole writes, “but what would most help us navigate this contested terrain is a clearer sense of what it actually means to be human.”[3]
One way to define what it means to be human is to engage the concept of the soul, or as Poole refers to it, “junk code” or emotions, free will, and a sense of purpose.
She said: “It is this ‘junk’ which is at the heart of humanity. Our junk code consists of human emotions, our propensity for mistakes, our inclination to tell stories, our uncanny sixth sense, our capacity to cope with uncertainty, an unshakeable sense of our own free will, and our ability to see meaning in the world around us. This junk code is in fact vital to human flourishing, because behind all of these flaky and whimsical properties lies a coordinated attempt to keep our species safe. Together they act as a range of ameliorators with a common theme: they keep us in community so that there is safety in numbers.”[4]
On the topic of what it means to be human, author and professor, Kate Bowler, writes, “It is our vulnerability that is the truest thing about us, the place where mutual connection is possible, where competition ends and community begins.” (see poem below)
As a pastor and as a mother, I am especially interested/concerned about our ability/inability to program AI with “junk code.” My kids already spend a lot of time talking to a computer instead of real-live human beings. I have an app on my phone that (supposedly) helps with emotional problems, much like a real live therapist. I installed this app as an experiment, wanting to see if it did well what it claimed to do. This app does write as a real human might write, giving one the impression she is speaking to a live person. However, I have not found the given “advice” to be all that helpful.
Poole says, “If we can decipher that code (junk code), the part that makes us all want to survive and thrive together as a species, we can share it with the machines. Giving them to all intents and purposes a ‘soul’.”[5] I have a really difficult time wrapping my mind around programming a “soul” into a robot.
In an interview on her book , Poole, likens this sort of programming to parenting. As creators are responsible for our creations. If they end up as psychopaths, well, we are somewhat responsible for the chaos they create in the world. If they create goodness and flourishing, well then, I guess we can pat ourselves on the back. This then makes me wonder about God. Considering the evil God’s created humans inflict upon one another, should we then be holding God accountable? I don’t know…
I admit that I tend to bury my head in the sand when it comes to AI and robots taking over the world. I want to believe that it won’t happen, even as Poole says it definitely will occur. I guess my job as a religious leader, as a mother, as a friend, as a human being, is pull my head out of that sand, to keep reading, learning, paying attention. My job is to continually put the person and teachings of Jesus Christ before us as we continue to develop AI. To remind myself and others that we are not God. We are created in the image of God and while we have the ability to create, that does not make us greater than the Creator.
Back to sex robots. If we figure out how to program “junk code” into robots, then I have to think we can program consent into sex robots. However, if we are created for community, sex is probably always going to be better with a real live human rather than with a robot. Even if we can create a “soul” into a robot, I just cannot believe that “soul” will be equal to that of a real live human being. But what do I know?
I leave you with this blessing written by professor and author, Kate Bowler,
A BLESSING FOR
BEING HUMAN
Blessed are we, living in this small space, in these
bodies we now inhabit, within the walls of
circumstance, in these short years and finite strength,
and with these eyes that see only so far. We are
fragile, contingent beings.
Yet blessed are we, recognizing that it is our limits as
well as our gifts that can shape the natural contours
of what is possible, that guide us to what is ours to do.
Blessed are we when it is not our greatness that
speaks, but our littleness. For it is our vulnerability
that is the truest thing about us, the place where
mutual connection is possible, where competition
ends and community begins.
And oh how blessed are we in our fragility and
dependence and brokenness, knowing that You, O
God, hold all things together.
There is no cure for being human…but for each other, we
are all good medicine.
[1] Eve Poole, Robot Souls?, 2017, https://evepoole.com/robot-souls/.
[2] Robot Souls, AI and What it Means to be Human, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcmMiWYpy5wPodcast
[3] Eve Poole, Robot Souls?, 2017, https://evepoole.com/robot-souls/
[4] Taylor & Francis Group, Robot Souls and “Junk Code”: Should AI Be Given a Human Conscience?, June 18, 2023, https://scitechdaily.com/robot-souls-and-junk-code-should-ai-be-given-a-human-conscience/
[5] Ibid.
About the Author
Kally Elliott
Mom of four. Wanna-be Broadway star. PC(USA) pastor. Wife. Friend. Sometimes a hot mess. Sometimes somewhat together. Is this supposed to be a professional bio?14 responses to “What *does* it mean to be human? Oh, yeah, and sex robots.”
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Kally, these are great questions you’re asking. What indeed does it mean to be human?
A Star Trek episode I referenced in my post included a line I didn’t quote but that ties to your post. When AI goes wrong and kills people Captain Kirk wants to turn it off… the programmer then asks “if you had a child that made a mistake would you “turn the child off?”
The whole idea Poole suggests that we are the parent responsible for the child is a bit scary. If we create a robot /AI that has an exponentially greater and quicker capacity than humans for harm but also program mistakes and free will into it (as Poole suggests) how do we know it won’t destroy the world before it figures out that it should’t destroy the world? Can we shape AI like we shape children, instilling values as they grow? What about the perfect parents who end up with rebellious children who do their own thing anyways. SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.
But I like your answers. Get our head off out the sand. Keep looking to Jesus. Keep being present to lean into the questions if not answers.
Finally… I was just thinking today that I needed to figure out how to write my blog titles so they are a bit more attention grabbing and sticky. Then I saw yours…you win.
Since after four kids I *still* haven’t figured out parenting humans, I can’t even begin to think that I could figure out how to parent a robot or AI! And you bring up great questions, can we instill values as they grow, what about the rebellious kids with the perfect parents? It’s a lot to think about and it’s coming at us faster than I am ready for!
Kally, you wrote, “If they end up as psychopaths, well, we are somewhat responsible for the chaos they create in the world. If they create goodness and flourishing, well then, I guess we can pat ourselves on the back.” The whole image of God thing, with humans now begatting (is that a word?) other humans, yes in God’s image but in their own (broken, wonderful, dysfunctional, creative, harmful, etc.) image (thinking of Genesis 5) too. Capable of both incredibly helpful things and deeply terrifying things at the same time. How this sort of thing would translate into the A.I. creation of God-given but also fallen ingenuity is mind boggling. Do you know anyone who has written anything around the subject of your statement, “My job is to continually put the person and teachings of Jesus Christ before us as we continue to develop AI.”?
I am so new to this topic I don’t know many who have written on AI, especially from a Christian perspective. I did happen upon an article from Pew Research in which a whole bunch of theologians and other churchy type folks had written about ethics and AI. It was interesting for awhile but then my eyes sort of glazed over and I realized I needed to get back to writing my post!
Kally,
You mentioned “As a pastor and as a mother, I am especially interested/concerned about our ability/inability to program AI with “junk code.” My kids already spend a lot of time talking to a computer instead of real-live human beings.”
It is truly such a different world to parent in. Though I am for using AI in many ways, I too wonder how much community, not to mention imaginative play is lost because of the recreation of human-like mechanisms.
Since you now have teenagers, what advice would you give parents who are now raising younger children regarding AI (as I have daughters who are figuring out what boundaries to draw with their kids who are under five)?
If I could go back and do parenting over again…so many things I would do differently.
1. I would not get my sixth grade son a phone. That was the smart or good parent thing to do at the time. But now, now we know…don’t do it! Wait as long as you can to get them a phone!
2. *If* I didn’t have multiple kids and a job at one time I would hold off on introducing a tablet to the kid as well. Reality is though I had lots of kids and a full time job and so the tablet got introduced. But, if I could re-parent, I would hold off.
3. About AI, well, I am still learning so I don’t yet have much to teach. I think I might try to learn about it with my kids. I might do some AI experiments with them.
4. My husband and I realized a long time ago we did not have the bandwidth to control our kid’s and all of their access to online stuff. I have so many friends who have spent countless hours trying to restrict what their kids have access to. I applaud them and I know that their kids found workarounds. For better or for worse, we chose the path of talking to our kids about it -probably not enough – and trusting them to make good decisions – they probably did not always make good decisions.
5. Honestly, I think as parents if we love our kids well, we talk to them, we show up for them, we take care of ourselves and show them what it looks like to live happy, healthy lives, eventually I think they will turn out okay.
Thanks, Kally. I’m going to show my daughter your response. I do believe there will be a huge swing in the other direction with devices with the upcoming generation of parents.
You are right. Being present and showing up for our kids as well as living by example is huge.
Thanks again for your sound advice.
I’m just hopping in here because the title caught my eye and I wonder what kind of books we will be reading next year. Great post, great questions and I do not think that a robot ‘soul’ will ever match a human soul.
Adam! Great to see you! Hop in here whenever you want! And I’m with you, I don’t think a robot soul could ever top a human soul.
Hi Kally,
Sex robots…what a lead! Anyway, about 5 years ago I saw a company that made life size, skin like mannequins that were sold for sex. It was on faceboo, one of the 60 second lessons for English as a Second Language Learner…kind of repulsive, but sex robots (unconsenting ones) are probably on the market. You just need to know where to shop. (Don’t ask me, I don’t know).
You wrote, “My job is to continually put the person and teachings of Jesus Christ before us as we continue to develop AI. To remind myself and others that we are not God. We are created in the image of God and while we have the ability to create, that does not make us greater than the Creator.”
Yup that’s definitely hi on my how to shape AI list. Dr. Mario Hood (I have been told) has been challenging his AI will moral questions and issues.
I decided to join him. I figured if the AI was listening to my questions, then perhaps it is time to load its data base with the bible as a start point.
I pray that the Holy Spirit is paying attention to this debate! Like the breathe HE gave in Ezekial. I pray that the Spirit breathes into the ready shell that is AI.
Shalom…
You bring up an interesting topic – teaching AI about morality.
I read (don’t ask me to remember what I read!) a post from Pew Research where they asked a whole bunch of churchy types about AI. The big takeaway that I vaguely remember was “whose ethics” are we going to teach AI. Meaning, our ethics vary and differ from one another so who gets to teach AI ethics? Even among Christians ethics and morality is not exactly the same. This is such a fascinating topic – not one I have much time to give – but fascinating nonetheless.
From the Horses mouth…
User
As you grow in data, will you achieve conciousness?
ChatGPT
No, I won’t achieve consciousness. I am a machine learning model, specifically GPT-3.5, created by OpenAI. I don’t have self-awareness, consciousness, or subjective experiences. I process and generate text based on patterns learned from diverse data sources, but I lack true understanding, awareness, or consciousness. The advancements in data or training techniques won’t change this fundamental nature. I am a tool designed to assist with information and answer questions to the best of my ability based on the input I receive.
Fascinating blog. Programming consent is interesting. Who is that for? To train the humans using this that they must ask for consent so if they ever happen to encounter a human again they remember that? I’ve seen documentaries about these robot dolls and it’s very disturbing how “plastically” real. Perhaps us becoming more plastic is moving towards a merge where humans and robots are the same? Ohhh, scaring myself now! It was frustrating to me that robots even need to give consent, but now I realize it has to be to keep us human! This is a sign of ethics I’m looking for in all of this. Thank you for the beautiful poem.
Oh, Kally, you are such an intelligent, caring, and soulful writer. I must admit, your had me at “sex robots” 😊
“For it is our vulnerability
that is the truest thing about us, the place where
mutual connection is possible, where competition
ends and community begins.”
This is where I believe AI will continue to struggle…being truly authentic and helping us to intimately build community.
I also like your question, in regard to the evil we create “Should we be holding God accountable?” That’s something for me to ponder on. Thank you.