Artificial Intelligence and Spiritual Formation
My summary and thoughts on Andy Crouch's latest conversation with Jay Kim.
Andy Crouch and Jay Kim recently got together to discuss spiritual formation and artificial intelligence. At times, I found the conversation frustratingly polished but I also think Andy is effective at diagnosing the current moment.
Let me outline some of the important points that Andy makes (summarizing for both future me and present you). Note that this is largely a summary of Andy’s comments and I’ve inserted some of my own thoughts here and there:
Roughly 100 years ago, humans develop machines (devices) that operate independently or with little human involvement. Tools then get to the point where human skill is not as necessary and tools can create new efficiencies. (4:00)
Humans then develop the ability to operate in a digital world, interfacing with that world using screens. (5:27)
Humans then develop artificial intelligence. Computers improve but it in cyclical spurts (i.e., we have “AI winters” followed by AI growth). However, in the last 5 years, we invent a form of vector mathematics and allow computer systems to train themselves on data sets. These systems have three new qualities: (i) cultural and lingual fluency, (ii) emotional / relational fluency, and (iii) simulation fluency. These qualities do not mean that computers can actually understand these things as humans do.
The fourth thing that may arrive: machines are able to move through space and time (i.e., robotics). Robotics will be like a new category of creatures in our world. (11:20)
Jesus lives in a world where he has access to the technology of writing and money. Writing allows ideas to spread. Money allows value to spread (independent of land or human capital). Jesus uses neither. Yet, Jesus embodies the fullness of what it means to be human so our apprenticeship (i.e., formation) in Him requires us to learn to be human independent of technology, even the technologies of writings and money. Even as the apostles carry on Jesus’ message using technology like Roman roads, money, etc., there is no New Testament marveling of the embedded technology that the apostles use to spread the Gospel. In the New Testament, there is a constant “re-centering” of attention away from the technological medium and back to relational connection with others. (14:00) [Chris Unseth: It surprised me that I have never considered this. Of course, we have all thought about how Jesus wrote none of the words of the New Testament. But the fact that he shirked many major technological mediums of his day entirely has profound implications to me. Jesus was not concerned about mass dissemination of His teachings outside of word-of-mouth evangelism by his disciples. He was wholly invested in human-to-human interaction.]
The project of the Kingdom is about restoring humans to the ability to love one another. This restoration begins with the life of Jesus which is lived entirely without scale and amplification techniques, yet His life resonates widely in the world. Technology is not relevant to the project of becoming like Jesus. (20:40)
Technology deforms us if we are use it to break free of the burden of being human (e.g., work, suffering, toiling for others). (21:50).
Artificial intelligence is useful for understanding information and developing techniques. But the deep work of therapy is the interior healing of our souls, emotions and mind. This healing is not about information and techniques. We need a human person to be with us in our (i) fear, (ii) guilt and (iii) shame. Cultures are built around these concepts. In fear, we need a person to trust. In guilt, we need someone to tell us our sin is covered and we are free. In shame, we need unconditional love. These require personal encounters that artificial intelligence can only simulate. Only a live person can feel fear, guilt, and / or shame, then respond with trust, forgiveness, and / or love. God has entrusted us with the authority to form these responses and we should not abdicate that to a chat bot even though people may prefer artificial intelligence because it feels safer. With artificial intelligence, we miss out on formation into persons who can be agents of God’s reconciliation in our world. (23:36)
Artificial intelligence is the ultimate mirror. It will never be what you need—that is, another embodied person. If someone or something is just a mirror, you are simply reflecting your own weaknesses and vulnerabilities in it. Jesus intervenes so that history and culture are not just a mirror of humanity. (31:50) [Chris Unseth: Probably Crouch’s most compelling point and one that I have wondered about with respect to AI. Humans crave encounters with truth. They want to understand things fully and to have their assumptions challenged. The fact that we must prompt AI to provide push back erodes its ability to truly challenge us and feel human. Ultimately, the sheen of AI always wears off when I realize you can never shake off its very particular flavor of writing or creating images.]
LLMs are following a path of probability when crafting responses. Artificial intelligence thus provides the most average / probable answer possible. Jesus, however, almost never provides the probable answer. Even in the Shema, Jesus adds a fourth element not present in prior Jewish formulations. Why? Jesus is the Son of the living God who is always opening up new possibilities, thus Jesus is the most creative conversation partner you can have. (36:14)
Jesus relates to us in ways different from a chat bot. Chat bots return answers immediately. In prayer, God almost never immediately provides us with a fully developed answer. When He does, the answer is often challenging and unexpected. Usually, we hear silence. Part of relating to God is realizing that the path to Him is not done on our own terms—it’s not a fluent conversation or exchange of answers. This is also true of our interaction with Scripture. (40:06)
Artificial intelligence can affect our spiritual practices. In the practice of solitude, artificial intelligence hinders by wanting to be your companion. So you forfeit the ability to be truly alone. In the practice of silence, we relinquish the need for communication. But artificial intelligence does not and cannot be silent; it is by its very nature responsive. Carrying it with us means that we do not learn how to speak to God and how to not require God to speak to back. In fasting, artificial intelligence cannot help you because it does not require food. (44:14) [Chris Unseth: I don’t know if I buy these points. I can see AI facilitating all kinds of positive developments in spiritual practices. However, the larger point is true. AI smooths over the friction that causes us to grow as human beings and ultimately, spiritual practices are meant to replace the missing friction. In that sense, AI’s purposes do run orthogonal to the purpose of spiritual disciplines.]
Technology will not help you become the kind of person who has something worth offering. An entity that is predictable will respond with attunement to what we want and will not train us for human relationships. Pain and friction is required to sustain humans—a lesson that human beings need to learn. (47:20). [Chris Unseth: Probably my favorite statement in this conversation. Our individuality or uniqueness is what makes us into people who have something to offer others and even God, Himself. AI flattens our individuality out.]
Artificial intelligence does not need you. It does not grow sick, require compassion, grow old, require care. But we build community by being present to the needs around us. Fellow human being grow weaker over time, unlike artificial intelligence. Humans need a community around them that know how to care for someone who does not know how to be economically productive or cognitively relevant. Artificial intelligence will not train you for the moments of greatest human possibility (moments of greatest human need). (50:45)
This is a perfect time in which Christians need to teach what it means to be human. (55:01) [Chris Unseth: Yes! This should be our response as a church. AI has a flavor in its responses that ultimately regresses to bland or can sometimes engender disgust. What people will start to crave are genuine human experiences. What Christianity offers is the ultimate course on being human and experiencing your humanity.]
Pastors should not be using artificial intelligence when doing what is the most sacred part of their jobs. Most people do not go into ministry thinking it’s purely a technical thing. (59:00)
Artificial intelligence can make us feel as though we have superpowers. With minimal energy or output, we have outsized effect on the world. Technology helps us to go through the world without effort or skill—we can make a difference without having ourselves become different. The technologies train us to not want the pain / difficulty of being formed into a different person. This like the dream of magic; power is wielded without moral character, dependence on God, or dependence on other people. (1:03:00)
The philosopher Hilary Putnam observes that relationships are digital alloys of face-to-face relationships. We build relationships in person. Digital relationships are like carbon (not that useful, in this case, digital interaction) but if we build primarily on iron (in this case, the in-person portion of a relationship), you can end up with a stronger alloy (steel) of a relationship. Care and compassion (both requiring strong in-person presence) are the most important things we can do as human beings. (1:11:04) [Chris Unseth: This is a strong case for church growth going forward. Few modern institutions cultivate (nay, demand!) weekly in-person experiences. As the pastiche of AI’s relational ability wears off, I suspect people will crave genuine, human experiences that push them to grow as spiritual and embodied beings.]
Humans are meant to be heart, soul, mind, and complexes designed for love. Whatever we bring into our lives should advance those things and engage our “allness” of heart, soul and mind for the purpose of loving God and our neighbor. This is how we flourish. (1:15:40)
A note on AI: Seeking Christ is a sacred act, one that we are not willing to cede to artificial intelligence. We uncompromisingly do not use artificial intelligence to write our posts. We hope that the genuineness of our writing bleeds through every paragraph.