Is AI an Existential Threat to Humanity?

The New Printing Press

In this episode of the New Printing Press , Mike and Drew Dickens discuss the intersection of AI and spirituality. They explore the historical relationship between technology and the church, from the printing press to radio and stained glass. Drew shares his background in ministry and his recent work on the effects of generative AI on spiritual direction and divine inquiry.

They also discuss the fear and skepticism surrounding AI, including concerns about bias and the existential and theological threats it may pose. The conversation touches on the potential for AI to replace human roles and the ethical implications of AI in the church.

The conversation explores the tension between the practical tools of AI and the ethical and theological implications for Christians.

The hosts discuss how Christians can navigate this tension and how pastors and ministry leaders can approach AI in their work.

They also touch on the recent cultural impact of AI, such as the use of AI-generated images in politics and the challenges of AI as evidence in the legal field. The conversation emphasizes the need for pastors to understand the pastoral implications of AI and engage in meaningful conversations about its use in the church.

00:00 - Introduction and Background
08:20 - Drew's Dissertation on Generative AI and Spirituality
15:18 - Fear and Skepticism Surrounding AI
25:55 - Existential and Theological Threats of AI
34:31 - Ethical Implications of AI in the Church
41:01 - Navigating the Tension: Practical Tools vs. Ethical and Theological Implications of AI
49:31 - The Pastoral Implications of AI: A Call for Meaningful Conversations
57:49 - Cultural Impact: AI-Generated Images in Politics and the Need for Discernment
01:05:57 - AI as Evidence: The Reliability and Authenticity Question

About Drew Dickens
Drew's vision for Encounter is for it to be a safe space to experience and engage the word of God amid the noise of our daily routines. He yearns for a world rejoicing in hope, resisting fear, being patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer and meditation in the Word of God (Romans 12:12). Before founding Encounter in the summer of 2018, Drew was the Director of Content for the Abide Meditation app and President/CEO of Need Him Global Ministries for twenty years.

Drew is a graduate of Baylor University. He received his master's degree summa cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and is completing his doctorate in Theological Anthropology from Southern Methodist University.