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Podcasts

Can Government Protect Families in the Age of AI?

Interview with Michael Toscano and Jared Hayden

President Donald Trump has pledged to “solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans.”

“It is the policy of the United States to sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance in order to promote human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security,” an Executive Order from January 2025 states.

But how will enhanced “global AI dominance” affect the American family? Drastically and negatively, if we’re not careful. That’s what Michael Toscano and Jared Hayden of the Institute for Family Studies argue. But there is hope if government officials are willing to incorporate family-focused safeguards in their AI policies and investments.

Michael and Jared join this episode of the Know Why Podcast to discuss their public comment submitted to the Trump administration, which details “5 Recommendations for the White House’s AI Action Plan.”

More Resources:

Report Brief: Protecting the Family in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Institute for Family Studies

A Future For the Family

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Podcasts

Will AI Boost or Kill Human Connection?

Quick Question With Liberty

Some AI enthusiasts argue that artificial intelligence will usher in a new age of human thriving, even sparking a renaissance of deeper and more meaningful human connection. Others argue that AI chatbots can offer social benefits, providing a “friend” to those in need.

Are these optimistic takes on AI’s potential impact valid? Or are they the result of delusion? Liberty considers these arguments in light of existing evidence on how AI is already impacting humans, and discusses why we have the need for relationship at all.

More Resources:

AI Will Change What it is to be Human. Are We Ready?

Your Chatbot Won’t Cry if You Die? 

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Podcasts

Does AI Threaten Social Connection?

Quick Question With Liberty

A recent Teen Vogue article explores common ways college students are using ChatGPT. The anecdotes in the article align with other reporting on common uses for AI, leading Liberty to explore three trends…

  • Using AI to replace or assist in interpersonal conversations
  • Using AI to replace brainstorming solutions for difficult situations
  • Using AI in place of or in addition to a therapist for mental health purposes.

Are there valid aspects to these uses, or just risks? Liberty discusses the alleged pros and potential cons of each trend, with a focus on how each use of AI impacts social connections and responsibilities in our individualistic society. 

More Resources: 

How Are Students Using ChatGPT? For Therapy, Breakups, and Even Texting Friends (Teen Vogue)

When There’s No School Counselor, There’s a Bot (The Wall Street Journal)

Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community (2023)

Can Localism Ease Partisanship (And Even Anxiety?) Know About Political Engagement: Interview With Dr. Mark T. Mitchell (Episode 51)

How Will Chatbots Affect My Soul? Know About Healthy Tech Habits: Interview With Kate Lucky (Part 1) (Episode 26)

Should Chatbots Scare Me? Know About Healthy Tech Habits: Interview With Kate Lucky (Part 2) (Episode 27)

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Podcasts

Three Illustrators on Art, Creation, and AI

Ft. Past Know Why Podcast guests John Hendrix, Ross Boone, and Jared Boggess

Next up in our series “Know About AI,” Liberty recalls three past interviews on the Know Why Podcast with illustrators who addressed the purpose of creation and the affect of artificial intelligence on art. Featured artists are best-selling author and illustrator John Hendrix, author, illustrator, and mechanical engineer Ross Boone, and illustrator Jared Boggess, the art director for Christianity Today.

This episode features clips from each of their interviews, which you can find in full at KnowWhyPodcast.com, or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

More Resources:

Know About Creating: Why Should Christians Value Art? Interview With John Hendrix (Know Why Podcast, Episode 56)

Know About Creating: How Can Artists Use AI and Other Digital Tools Wisely? Interview With Ross Boone (Part 1) (Know Why Podcast, Episode 57)

Know About Creating: Does AI Threaten the Process of Making? Interview With Jared Boggess (Know Why Podcast, Episode 59)

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Podcasts

Does AI ‘Perfection’ Harm Our Souls?

Interview With Philip Bunn

The efficiency of generative AI can be tempting. But Philip Bunn, assistant professor of political science at Covenant College, argues that we may be sacrificing part of our humanity—and eventually our freedom—for the apparent perfection of AI results. When we allow ourselves do things badly instead of relying on AI, we’re forming important parts of ourselves, Philip argues.

Don’t miss this latest installment in the series “Know About AI” where Liberty and Philip discuss the AI crisis in academia, the purpose of education, 18th century economist Adam Smith’s predictions about technology and “mental mutilation,” and tips for preserving independent judgement in a culture that increasingly depends on AI.

More Resources:

Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age by Samuel James

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley

A Web of Our Own Making: The Nature of Digital Formation by Anton Barba-Kay

EverythingWasBeautiful.Substack.com

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Podcasts

Does AI Belong in the Classroom?

Interview with Emily Harrison

Is it cheating to have ChatGPT give feedback on your research paper? 

What if you just ask ChatGPT to check your math homework?

Should professors stop fighting the use of AI and incorporate it into collegiate-level assignments? 

How can teachers mitigate the negative effects of technology overload in their classrooms? 

We cover all these questions and more in the second installment of our Know About AI series, featuring Emily Harrison, author of the resource-heavy website Dear Christian Parent on Substack. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or a student yourself, you won’t want to miss this episode on artificial intelligence and education. 

More Resources: 

Dear Christian Parent on Substack

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman

From the Garden to the City: The Place of Technology in the Story of God by John Dyer

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Podcasts

How Should Christians Interact With AI?

Interview With Peter Goeman

In the kick-off to our Know About AI series, Peter Goeman of The Bible Sojourner YouTube channel joins the Know Why Podcast to talk about artificial intelligence from a Christian perspective.

Specifically, Peter explains what it means when the Bible says humans are made in the image of God, and what implications that has for our relationship with AI technology.

Don’t miss this conversation, which provides a helpful framework for our future episodes on AI!

More Resources:

Artificial Intelligence and the Christian: Understanding AI’s Promises and Pitfalls by Peter Goeman

The Bible Sojourner (YouTube Channel)

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Why Do Christians Deconstruct?

Interview With Ian Harber

Chances are you know someone who has deconstructed their faith or is in that process. Maybe that person is you. Wherever you are in your faith journey, you’ll appreciate this interview with Ian Harber, who has experienced deconstruction of faith first hand.

Ian shares his own story, including what led to his crisis of faith and how he managed to rebuild belief in God’s goodness after his lowest moment.

He also discusses his “brutally honest, defiantly hopeful” book: Walking Through Deconstruction: How to Be a Companion in a Crisis of Faith. It tackles common misconceptions about deconstruction, provides tips for supporting loved ones through a spiritual crisis, and offers hope and advice for reconstructing a healthy faith.

More Resources:

Walking Through Deconstruction by Ian Harber

Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo

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Podcasts

How Can I Know What is True?

Interview With Andrea Crum

There are more voices competing for our attention than ever before, and they all have a different interpretation of reality. Is there such a thing as absolute truth, and if so, how can we find it? 

Joining the Know Why Podcast to discuss this important question is Andrea Crum, the leader of Genuine Family Ministries. Andrea helps us understand why there is a crisis of truth, how we can identify and understand different worldviews, and why the existence of truth points to God’s goodness. 

More Resources: 

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Podcasts

Why Am I Still a Christian?

Quick Question With Liberty

At a time when many church-raised millennials and Gen Zers are deconstructing, Know Why Podcast host Liberty McArtor is still a Christian. Why?

In this episode, Liberty shares her journey with faith and how two things kept her from completely abandoning God during a season of struggle.

She also discusses the difference between education and propaganda and why knowing the difference could strengthen one’s faith.

More Resources:

Education, Indoctrination and Propaganda