Artificial Intelligence in the Bible

Technical Information

1. The rise of artificial intelligence: It is generally agreed upon by many intellectuals that within two human generations, (roughly 50 years), computers will be smarter than humans.1 In fact, artificial intelligence, (here onward referred to as AI), will not only surpass human intelligence, but dwarf it.

There are several factors contributing to the rise of AI; advancements in the fields of microelectronics (UltraLSI), molecular (nano)electronics, neurophysiology, embryology, and optical computing.² Even now, there are such things as bio-computers, (computers which process information by chemical means, storing data in genetically created brains),^{3, 4} independently controlled robots, and AI that can reason and understand human language to a limited degree.⁵ Just two weeks ago, I read in my local newspaper, the Fresno Bee, that a research team has for the first time fashioned simple computing components no bigger than a molecule. The researchers, from Hewlett-Packard Co. and the University of California at Los Angeles, say their work could be a step toward computers 100 billion times faster than today’s most powerful personal computers.⁶

Computer processors currently process information through electrical circuitry at a speed of over one million times faster than the human brain’s neural-transmitters process thoughts through brain cells. This speed increases exponentially, of course, with the introduction of circuitry integrated with fiber optics. Fiber optics enable computers to process information at the speed of light, as opposed to the speed of electricity. It is for this reason that once AI advances to the degree that computers are at least as smart as humans, they will quickly surpass human intelligence.

With the rise of AI, certain questions come to mind. Will computers with AI develop free will? The natural conclusion to this answer is, "Yes". Free will, in fact, is the key ingredient that defines a system as truly intelligent, and not simply a mechanical puppet. With AI, one may ask the machine a question, and curiously await a reasoned answer that was derived from the machine’s personal experiences. This is what makes AI so fascinating – in exploring AI, we explore ourselves, and our origins as human entities.

If computers with AI will truly have free will, then it must also be concluded that such systems will develop their own sense of morality. This prospect, though not heavily debated now, will most assuredly be the topic of intense political debate in the years to come. The ethical question concerning the development of advanced AI will simply be, "Should the field of AI continue to the point of the development of systems with free will?"

While the answer to this question, in my opinion, should be "No", I feel that the ultimate outcome will be, "Yes!"

1.2 The Cosmists vs. the Terrestrialists: According to theorist and AI developer Dr. Hugo De Garis, (the primary source of information I researched for information on AI), there will be two factions in the future political debates concerning the development of AI. These factions will be labeled the "Cosmists", and the "Terrestrialists". Simply stated, the Cosmists will be in favor of pursuing the field of AI with unbridled diligence, while the Terrestrialists will be more cautious about the development of AI. The Terrestrialists will be strongly in favor of their opinion that humans should remain the dominant species on planet Earth.

In the eyes of a Terrestrialists, a sentient, created being made from man, will become like man. Man, as we know, has a greater capacity to exercise both good, and evil than do animals, because of his intelligence. With this in perspective, an artificial life form, too, will have an even greater capacity than man to exercise both good, and evil, because of its greater intelligence than man. While it is noted that there is an awesome potential for the good, the awesome potential for evil could be destructive to the point of completely demolishing humanity from the face of the earth. Complete annihilation clearly outweighs the benefit of any good, according to the Terrestrialists.

The Cosmists, on the other hand, will point out that while there exists the potential for evil, they don’t think that the choice of evil will be the natural course of evolution for AI. (Humanistic psychology at is best…) "Good…", they will most likely say, "is after all, more rational than evil, and should be the natural course of evolutionary growth". Cosmists will believe that the natural course of evolution for artificial life forms will be the desire to explore the cosmos in search of more natural resources, instead of staying on earth, and competing with humans for earth’s limited supply of natural resources. Artilects, (a term coined by Dr. Hugo De Garis referring to artificial life forms), will not be hindered by the constraints of biological bodies, and will thus be free to develop different means of traveling throughout the cosmos with greater efficiency than humans. They will also most likely be just as curious about finding other life in outer space as humans are.

While the benefits of highly advanced AI will be astounding, the risk of humans being thought as no more than humans think of bugs, is too great, according to the Terrestrialists. Once AI has developed to the point that artilects emerge, (sentient beings with free will, emotional awareness, etc.), artilects will then begin to take control of their own development, leaving human involvement in their internal workings behind. Within a scant amount of time, humans won’t have any idea what their systems will become. To assume that artilects will choose "Good" as a natural, logical course for their moral development is assuming too much. Simply looking at society today, and the chaotic state of affairs the world is in, it appears from the Terrestrialists point of view that intelligence has little to do with morality. Such people in human history as Adolph Hitler, Gangis Kahn, and other notorious mass murdering atrocities were all highly intelligent. Unfortunately, all of their intelligence was bent purely on evil. When considering the fact that 100 of the world’s greatest minds in human history culminated into a single person would be the equivalent intelligence of an artilect, such an entity would be too dangerous to exist. If such an entity were to develop the kind of morality that drove Hitler, and Gangis Kahn, nothing short of annihilating humanity would be the result.

In response to the Terrestrialists point about artilects extending beyond human control, the Cosmists point out the fact that advancements made in bio-computers could eventually be applied to humans. Such applications would enable humans to acquire knowledge more rapidly, (i.e. downloading information instead of traditional learning methods, or telepathic access to the Internet). Another possibility would be the development of a technology that would allow the transfer, or copying of a human intellect into an artilect – thus, the artilect’s sense of morality will be derived directly from a human being.

"Is this any less dangerous?" the Terrestrialists will argue. Though the artilect will have a human’s morality, who’s to say how stable that morality will be, when placed at the helm of a superior mind that thinks trillions of times faster than a human brain, and is clearly dominant over conventional humanity. Humans themselves are dangerous, but at least they are kept in check with the fact that they are balanced in their intelligence with each other. An artilect with a human’s essence, would none-the-less escape the confines of this equalizing barrier.

1.3 Artificial intelligence is inevitable: Putting aside the views of both Cosmists, and Terrestrialists, there are some general points that I’m compelled to mention. First of all, human nature alone dictates that the development of AI to the point of creating sentient beings with freewill is inevitable. Human nature demands growth. People have an innate desire to want to learn as much as they possibly can, and explore that which is unknown.

Secondly, how could such development be stopped. The point at which an artificial intelligent being becomes self aware, sentient, and has freewill, is very hazy, to say the least. So what should be done? Prevent bio-computer experimentation? Place a ban on microprocessors with speeds in excess of 10,000Ghz? There is no clear way to draw the line on the development of computers, to prevent AI from evolving to the point of sentience.

Lastly, even if a ban on the development of AI could be implemented successfully, such a ban wouldn’t extend in to the areas of covert government projects, or computer geniuses developing these systems themselves to sell on the black market. Moreover, any government not aided with the intelligence of artilects would be at a stark disadvantage to those that will be, thus, in the name of national security, again, the development of advanced artificially intelligent beings that will reach the point of having freewill is inevitable.

1.4 The biblical relevance of artificial intelligence:

In light of the inevitable development of artilects, I am compelled to impart a biblical perspective on this subject. When I study the topic of AI, I can’t help but see a peculiar insight into a passage of scripture that many are familiar with – even in the secular domain.

Revelation 13:11-18

11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. ¹²And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. ¹³And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, ¹⁴And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. ¹⁵And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. ¹⁶And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: ¹⁷And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. ¹⁸Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Consider the image; a being created by people – a being that is sentient, (living). This being appears to be highly intelligent, judging from the fact that it has the authority to make policies that effect the entire world population. Coupled with its intelligence is an enormous ego that demands worship, no less. It doesn’t appear to have any qualms about dispatching with any of those who disagree with its decisions, either, (regarding humans as inferior).

And, like a system involving computer technology, the people of the world will be forced to receive some sort of identification mark, so that without it, they will not be able to buy or sell anything. Clearly, a logical, systematic means by which a computer would be able to keep track of all the earthly inhabitants would be to network people into some sort of tracking system – or maybe even a pseudo collective consciousness. Also consider the fact that this computer-related system targets humanity in it’s weakest point; economic dependency.

1.5 A pseudo Holy Spirit: If an artilect had access to the Internet as part of its consciousness, the integration of its biological counterparts – humans – would make it nearly omniscient.  In effect, such an entity would be a pseudo-Holy Spirit, knowledgeable about the global economy, the governments of the world, human affairs, and even people’s private matters considering the fact that it would possibly know the contents of all electronic media that passes through the Internet.  Furthermore, it might even be able to get into people’s minds – depending on the advancement of bio-computer technology.

1.6 The Mark of the Beast:

If progress in bio-computer technology continues, it won’t surprise me if it soon becomes possible to enable the integration of biological functions, memory, learned processes, and even thought waves – into electronic format. (Movies such as "Brainstorm", and "Johnny Mnemonic", are key examples of this type of technology.) If this becomes possible, (which if humans expect to keep up with artilects – it must become possible), humans will have direct bio-computer interface methods for learning and functioning.

This is where the mark of the beast comes in. I think the mark of the beast will most likely be some sort of bio-computer technology; a biological computer chip that will enhance humanity’s evolution…so it will be said. This makes perfect sense, in fact, because it fits perfectly into an end-times scenario. First of all, to get people to buy into an idea – such as a "MARK" as described in Revelation 13:16-17 – would be very difficult in some cultures. People don’t like the idea of being marked by big government – especially Americans. BUT – if this mark were an item of utilitarian value, i.e. a device that would turn people into gods in comparison to their natural state – then everyone would be cutting in line to get one. "Sign me up" they would yell, "I’ll take a dozen!" Secondly, this scenario fits because it reeks with Satan’s methodology. We could be like gods… Isn’t that what Satan told Eve in the garden?

1.7 Satan’s counterfeit body: In essence, the image of the beast, according to the Book of Revelation, is Satan’s attempt at being God – to rule over people. Everything God does, Satan tries to imitate. Christ had a prophet declaring His arrival, and likewise, the antichrist, too, will have his false prophet. Any in depth study in biblical phenomenon reveals Satan’s counterfeit in nearly everything that God has established. The integration of people into a cybernetic collective ruled by an artilect would, in a sense, be uniting humanity into a body – imitating the body of Christ – yet falling eternally short! 1.8 Human pride: The creation of an artilect would be the epitome of man’s achievements, and no doubt, be an artifact of intense human pride. In a sense, I think many people would consider such an entity, (the artilect), the next step in human evolution, and in their own way, worship it, and firmly believe that it’s decisions were god-like. With the introduction of bio-computer technology as I previously mentioned, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if people begin to think of themselves as gods too. Some do without any enhancements at all – even now…

Even as I researched the topic of AI, I was not surprised to find that many people, (especially AI developers), approached the subject as they might approach the very throne of God.  Many AI developers believe that the intelligence of an entity is a criteria by which to judge an entity’s proximity to God. For this reason, the artilect, they feel, should be treated with reverence, awe, and respect.

While the future threat of AI looms on the horizon, I find myself in the minority among my peers, concerning the direction I think it will take. But – the same values and beliefs that reveal to me a message of warning concerning AI also console me. I don’t think I’m going to be around to experience the worst of things. Even if I am, I’m confident that the Lord will provide me with all I need to endure any such future peril. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for everyone else in the world.

While the answer to this question, in my opinion, should be "No!", I feel that the ultimate outcome will be, "Yes!".

According to theorist and AI developer Dr. Hugo De Garis, there will be two factions in the future political debates concerning the development of AI. These factions will be labeled the "Cosmists", and the "Terrestrialists". Simply stated, the Cosmists will be in favor of pursuing the field of AI with unbridled diligence, while the Terrestrialists will be more cautious about the development of AI. The Terrestiallists will be strongly in favor of their opinion that humans should remain the dominant species on the planet.

Back to John Milor's Angelfire Home

Works Cited

1 Hugo de Garis, Cosmism, http://psoup.math.wisc.edu/extras/deGaris/cosmism.html, 1996.

2 Ibid. (1)

3 Martyn Amos, DNA Computation, http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/~ctag/archive/th/amos-thesis.ab.html

4 Tsugucjika Kaminuma and Gen Matsumoto, eds., Biocomputers: the Next Generation from Japan, (trans. Norman Cook).

5 Ibid. (1)

6 Article in Fresno Bee taken from John Markoff, New York Times, Warp-Speed computers on horizon, July 16, 1999.

Visit the Android Home Page

http://www.androidworld.com/index.htm