AI and the Preacher

I am not what you would call an early adopter in terms of technology.  I do have a Facebook Page and a blog – neither of which could be called new technology any more – and I have never Tweeted (I do know Twitter it is not called that now), and I can send a text if I absolutely have to.  In effect, I can get by in the electronic age when push comes to shove, but that is about all.

All this said, I have recently become a stranger in the strange land of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the encouragement of a friend, last summer, I signed up for ChatGPT.  In case you are not aware of this popular manifestation of AI, it is a system which can answer many complex and detailed questions and requests almost immediately.  Interestingly, I asked ChatGPT for the number of users and it wouldn’t or couldn’t tell me, “I don't have access to real-time data or specific user statistics, including the number of people who have signed up for the service.”  This is likely because I haven’t signed up for the paid service that is up to date.  The one, I signed up for, which is free, is limited to data from a few years ago.  I used the now old-fashioned way of finding out, and googled the question.  I was told that there are 180.5 million users of ChatGPT, “according to the latest available data.”  It is a real time example of why you shouldn’t blindly accept the information on social media.  It should be treated with care. 

However, with that caveat, my exploration of this strange new land has given me results which are quite impressive.  There has been much speculation about the future impact of AI will be.  It may bring about a new revolution as earth shattering as the invention of the printing press or the development of the assembly line.  The industrial revolution of the 20^th Century eliminated many manual labour jobs.  The impact of AI is going to be revolutionary according to most experts.  AI is predicted to eliminate many professional and white-collar jobs with mind numbing speed. 

What inspired me to write about this topic today specifically was the potential from ChatGPT to be used for composing sermons.   It is a temptation which I believe will be hard to resist by at least some many of my fellow clergy.  It likely has been used for this purpose already.  I tested out the potential for ChatGPT to produce a sermon – no, I didn’t use it. I asked my new friend Chat (for short) to give me a one-thousand-word sermon on John 11:32-44 – the account of the resurrection of Lazarus.  The results were what I would call competent but not inspired or inspiring.  I won’t reproduce it here given the limitations I have placed on the length of these missives.  I can supply the results to anyone that requests it. 

To give you a taste of what it can do, here is a short introduction to one of the readings from last Sunday, 1 John 3:1-3.  I asked Chat for 20-25 word summary of the passage.  In our parish there is an introduction to each of the readings. Here is what Chat gave me almost instantaneously:

In 1 John 3:1-3, the apostle emphasizes God's incredible love, portraying believers as His children. Despite worldly confusion, the promise of transformation into Christ's likeness offers hope and purifies hearts.

This use is just a small example of the ways AI can be used.   Perhaps if Jesus was to be tempted by Satan today, this would be one of the temptations.  There is no doubt what we are facing is a wilderness of potential uncertainly and possibly chaos, about a future which includes AI.  It is something we need to be concerned about and pray for guidance and wisdom on our journey into that strange land.

Blessings.

 

Keep Focused on What Grounds You

Technology can be wonderful but it can also be less than wonderful when it doesn’t work as you expect it to.  That probably doesn’t come as a surprize to anyone – especially people who are of a certain mature age shall we say.  I am in the category that can manage what I need to do on computers and some other basic technologies (Facebook anyone) as long as things go as they should but I am thrown into the slough of despond – to use that wonderfully apt phrase from Pilgrim’s Progress – when things don’t work.

There have been a few times recently where I have experienced these types of situations either personally or vicariously – I won’t give details about them because that is not my point.  The point is that these situations can be frustrating and highly annoying to say the least.  What I am wondering this morning is, is there anything positive about these times?

I was recently reminded about one of the first times I experienced a computer failure.  I had decided to try and use my laptop and projector to show a painting during a worship service at the church where I was rector.  It was a small congregation and it was not set up for screens and projectors.  However, I thought this would be a great opportunity to use the equipment that I was not that familiar with, and use it for a sermon illustration.  I had it all set up and ready to go – actually checking during the opening of the service and when I got to the point to show it – the projector shut down and I couldn’t get it working again – of course.

So, on reflection, where is the pony in this pile of manure?  Well, I was able to carry on regardless and got by with a verbal description.  Also, I had this as an illustration of how things don't always go as planned so don’t sweat the small stuff even if it feels like big stuff at the time.  It also gives me an opportunity to show you and discuss the painting I was going to show the congregation that Sunday.  Here is the painting - provided the internet will cooperate:

It is a painting by the Renaissance master Tintoretto which depicts Jesus washing the feet of a disciple.  It is, of course, a religious theme and quite appropriate for a sermon.  I particularly wanted to use it as a sermon illustration because of my experience seeing it – a one version of it – in the Art Gallery of Ontario.  It is quite a large canvas 75 × 175 in. according to the information on-line (computers can be wonderful when they work).  It is an impressive work of art, but wat really caught my attention and grabbed me was the visual effect it produced.  When I walked along the length of the canvas from right to left. I was amazed that the image of Jesus and the disciple moved from the side of the picture to the center of the picture.  Unfortunately, I can’t duplicate this experience here.  I was surprized by this – to say the least - and walked back and forth in front of the painting to be sure I hadn’t imagined it.  Sure enough, it happened every time.  It is a tribute to the genius of the artist.

The message in all this is that we can make something – Jesus in this case – the center of our life – and something which grounds us.  Sometimes that will move to the edge of our lives when we are focussing on other things – such as electronics not working as they should.  However, that central thing can be brought back into the centre of our lives when we focus on it.  It is important if that thing is something that truly grounds us.

May you be blessed to keep the thing which grounds you centered in your life on your journey.