Embodied, I Am. . . Dust, breath and junk code
“By the time you read this, there will be several more lists of new laws, and the regulation debate will have moved on yet again. but the argument of this book is less about these details and more about how we need to rethink our first principles. Well first generation AI may require Draconian control, because of its extremely limited parameters, the hope is that more enlightened programming will make this threat less pronounced and worrisome. [1]
As I read the book, Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity by Eve Poole, my intellect was stirred, causing my heart rate to increase and maybe the cadence of my breaths slightly increased. Fully human, I am. “Hey Siri, call. . . .” or “Alexa, turn on the bedroom light”. All commands I have given to a created intelligence to perform mundane tasks. I had never given thought to the moral culpability of AI and the futuristic idea of a human obsolescence problem.
Never had I once given thought to the extinction of the human race, replaced by a world of AI, primarily because AI relies on humans for its function and production. Just this morning on the Today Show, I heard a brief vignette showcasing three new AI creations, one that vacuums AND mops floors, a robot that greets you at the door, talks to you, and keeps your life “on track”, and an AI device that gives a person a complete manicure, mapping the physical shape of one’s fingernails to paint, all in 30 minutes without having to go to a salon. I was intrigued. Does AI buy us more time? Make us more productive? Perform what might be unfavorable tasks so that we are enabled to do more of what we love? The author raises concerns about moral accountability, legal responsibility, and the anthropomorphism of AI. While I think it is important that we maintain a theology of AI use, it is important to keep in mind that humans created these entities, and therefore humans are morally responsible for them.
Just as we are fashioned in the image of Creator God, we mirror this creativity in our ability to develop aids for our bodies, medicines, art, music, and even as we partner with God in procreation. However, we are embodied creatures, half breath, (soul/spirit), and half dust (flesh). We are a nephesh, a living, breathing, physical being. [2] The concept of human embodiment is introduced at the outset of the biblical narrative. Genesis 2:7 emphasizes that God formed man from the dust of the ground, breathing the breath of life into his nostrils, thereby making him a living creature. [3] God created humans to embrace their embodied existence and foster a harmonious relationship with themselves, others, the broader creation, and God. Like Aquinas, I am also convinced that God populates every human with a soul. So as Poole chronologies the development of AI and its self-awareness, the self-awareness that is contained within AI is different than consciousness and is drastically distinct from the soul. [4] Humans are distinct in that we are participants in God’s greater story.
Throughout the book, the question “what makes us (humans) special” is posed? If AI is. . . outperforming us in industry and production, cleaning our floors, mowing our lawns, answering our questions, greeting us at the door when we come home, and even giving us a complete manicure without going to a salon, when will humans be disposed of and replaced by a perfected created being that does not mess us, go slow to go fast, struggle with depression and discontent and all of the other issues that fallible humans experience, the underpinnings of our “junk code”. [5]
As image bearers, our junk code makes us special. The scars that we bear tell a different story, one that cannot be replicated with metal, plastic, or silicone. We are prone to all kinds of pitfalls, poor decisions, mistakes, errors, and sin. This part of our junk code is purposeful for training, correction, and transformation. Our junk code is a piece of our embodiment as humans, its what makes us special and irreplicable. This is OUR story, included in a bigger story of God’s love for His creation. If anything, this book prompts me to consider the ways one’s story is told, recognizing the uniqueness of God’s created humans, higher than AI. This is what makes us, humans, special, and why we need to start sharing that uniqueness, as image bearers with others so that they too may know that they matter, not as producers, but simply as humans.
“At some stage, the sun will explode, if the Earth is not hit by a meteor meanwhile, so are demise is inevitable over the longer term. but if we do feel that we are special in some way, we may need to start explaining why, because if the artificial entities we have created are indeed intelligent they will need to be presented with a convincing argument about why we matter, particularly as they start to outperform us on every measure, and increasingly need our resources. [6]
How can we as followers of Jesus, better communicate our “specialness” in a way that guides others in realizing their “specialness”?
[1] Eve Poole, Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity (Bacon Raton, FL: CRC Press, n.d.), 25.
[2] https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/nephesh-soul/
[3] Genesis 2:7, ESV
[4] Eve Poole, Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity (Bacon Raton, FL: CRC Press, n.d.), 67.
[5] Ibid, 74.
[6] Ibid, 32.
About the Author
Cathy Glei
Cathy Glei serves as an instructional leader and pastor with over 27 years in education and ministry. She is dedicated to discipling others as they grow in their relationship with God, others and the world. Cathy has facilitated numerous professional development sessions, trainings, and workshops in both education and ministry. Passionate about supporting others in uncovering the Creator's design within them, Cathy lives in Michigan with her husband, Steve, and their eight-year-old Springer Spaniel, Otis. Cathy is a mother of three daughters and "Gooma" (grandma) to two adorable grandsons (emphasis on adorable 😊). She enjoys listening and exchanging laughter and stories with others, hanging out with friends, both old and new, as well as being outdoors, enjoying activities such as cycling, camping, hiking, and kayaking.6 responses to “Embodied, I Am. . . Dust, breath and junk code”
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Hi Cathy,
Tim Clark mentions this in his blogpost. IF AI needs a soul to be effective, whose soul will it be?
I can only pray that the Holy Trinity is not sleeping on the topic. I pray that Holy Spirit breathes into the shell of AI. Any other human soul would be a disaster in the making of the next generation of AI!
Isaac Asimov wrote, “The Last Question” in 1956. It is a science fiction short story that explores themes of entropy, the nature of the universe, and the potential evolution of intelligence. I remember how science combined with my faith when the AI (who existed outside of space and time) finished his data collection on entropy. As the last sun died and entropy was completed – with all life extinguished, the AI had the answer to reversing entropy. Alas, no one existed to report his data to, so instead the AI said, “Let there be light!”
Shalom…
Cathy, when you wrote “… we need to start sharing that uniqueness, as image bearers with others so that they too may know that they matter, not as producers, but simply as humans” I thought of Petrusek’s Evangelization and Ideology. We haven’t blogged about Petrusek yet, but it’s coming up so maybe you’ve taken a look at it? One of the things he talks about is how without a belief in God, there’s really no logical argument for humans being any better or different from any other species of flora or fauna. Based on your post and Poole’s book, could we extend Petrusek’s thoughts to say without God there is really no way to argue that humans are better or different from robots. Even as I write that, it still feels like science fiction and yet could that be where the world is headed?
Cathy, what great questions. As I read your post something new came to mind: What if the “junk code” was the essential part of humanity and the efficient code was really the junk?
In other words, it’s not our efficiency that makes us human, we can delegate that to AI or robots…it’s everythig else.
I think that’s what you are saying and it made me process differently. Thanks
You mentioned some of the “time saving” devices associated with AI, and we all know how *thought* the internet, smartphones, etc would “save” us time and, well, that didn’t work out so well, now did it?
We keep looking for the silver bullet of time and life management, then we sell our souls to them. In desperation we claw and fight to find another silver bullet, and it does the same. When will we learn?
Better yet, when will I learn? I fall for it too.
Thanks Cathy….as I read your post a thought crystalized for me that I hadn’t been able to articulate to this point: Poole’s book, which was exploring whether we can program ‘humanity’ into AI, only served to convince me further that such a thing is impossible because we are ‘human’ image-bearers given the divine spark by God…and that is only His to give! AI might move towards some insane capabilities in the future….but ‘human/conscious/soul’ won’t be one of them, because that’s above our pay grade as humans!
Hi Cathy!
You write, “This is OUR story, included in a bigger story of God’s love for His creation. If anything, this book prompts me to consider the ways one’s story is told, recognizing the uniqueness of God’s created humans, higher than AI. This is what makes us, humans, special, and why we need to start sharing that uniqueness, as image bearers with others so that they too may know that they matter, not as producers, but simply as humans.”
That’s a very constructive mind, Cathy! I like it! Therefore in my view, if we as humans are partisans in the story of God’s love for his greater creation, can’t we as humans also “pass on” that to the AI we create? In this way, life will proceed well and safely when AI helps us to work together to maintain the integrity of creation. And most importantly, AI becomes our pilgrim companion in the world to build a life that glorifies God’s name. What is your opinion about this?