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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Ross Boone (artist name Raw Spoon) is an author, illustrator, mechanical engineer, and theologian. He’s also had his share of doubts about faith and the Bible. Using those struggles as his creative engine, today Ross encourages others through artwork and stories. In Part 1 of his interview with Know Why Podcast, Ross shares how he uses digital tools including AI to create art that enhances biblical understanding. He also discusses how his app Creature Habits aims to reorient our distractions toward positive purposes. Listen and check out more of Ross’s creative resources below.
Doubt, Faith, and People
Ross told Know Why that he used to struggle with guilt over doubts and questions he had regarding Christian faith. He turned to creativity to process those doubts and questions, and now helps others wading through the same questions through his art.
Overtime, Ross realized that doubt is an important part of one’s journey with faith. “If you weren’t ever left in longing or left with questions, you wouldn’t have to dig deeper,” he said. He’s found that seeming dissonances within Scripture actually point to the complexity and nuance of humanity—much like art.
“If you weren’t ever left in longing or left with questions, you wouldn’t have to dig deeper.”
Ross boone
He believes Christian art needs to do a better job of portraying this reality. “Art has alerted me to the fact that we are complex, because I recognize when stories and portrayals of humans are done poorly.”
AI and Art
Ross believes that digital tools, including AI, have the power to bring depth and complexity to our understanding of biblical principles. He uses AI to generate art that accompanies Bible passages available in his app, Creature Habits. He hopes the art will help users visualize and understand biblical morals in fresh ways.
He notes that AI isn’t replacing the creative process for him as an artist. Rather, AI is a tool he is using for the benefit of the viewer in a specific context.
“Every new, modern technology is a tool for us to do what we want to do better,” he told Know Why. “We just have to be careful we don’t become a slave to these tools.”
