Tag: artificial intelligence

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Understanding Why You Were Made Matters More Than Ever

Do you know why you’re here? What you believe about human origins and purpose will become more salient than ever as AI tools become more ubiquitous.

Amid scary predictions about potential human extinction due to AI, others are talking about the flip side—the “utopian” future than awaits humanity if we will just embrace and accelerate superintelligence. That was the topic of a recent Interesting Times podcast featuring philosopher Nick Bostrom, who envisions a future where…

– AI helps the world run on “maximum efficiency”

– Humans will need “artificial purpose” and “arbitrary goals” to keep ourselves busy

– Humans will have to determine our “relationship to values”

– The next step of evolution—transhumanism—holds more potential than we can currently comprehend.

He’s not alone. Read closely the views of major tech leaders and AI developers today, and many are explicitly working toward a similar future.

In this episode, Liberty breaks down the underlying assumptions and worldview beneath terms like “maximum efficiency,” “artificial purpose,” and “values,” and offers a counter vision for humans’ inherent purpose on earth—a purpose that can’t be stolen by a new invention.

More Resources:

Interesting Times Interview with Nick Bostrom:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/opinion/interesting-times-podcast-spencer-klavan-nick-bostrom.html?unlocked_article_code=1.G1E.Zku-.6XMYc1azqar2&smid=url-share

Know Why Episode: Understanding Transhumanism

Know Why Series: Know About Science and Faith

Know About Science and Faith
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Podcasts

Making Sense of the Hugging Face Hack, AI Agents, and the Claims of Big AI

With Doug Smith

In recent weeks we’ve seen headlines about the “Hugging Face attack,” where AI agents from OpenAI reportedly escaped their digital testing environment, went rogue online, and hacked into a competitor AI company to steal data. As more investigative reports are released, it looks as if the scale and number of such attacks is even higher than originally reported. The reports also reveal something else that seems a bit unnerving at first: In completing these hacking attacks, AI agents built “civilizations,” working together and even “sacrificing themselves” in order to achieve joint end goals—all without alerting their human creators. What is a Christian to make of these odd headlines and stories?

Returning Know Why guest Doug Smith joins the podcast this week to help us understand what’s actually going on. An experienced software developer and now author and speaker on artificial intelligence and technology, Doug demystifies the headlines we’re seeing by explaining how the software behind AI “agents” works. He also offers insight into the materialistic worldview of many “Big AI” leaders, which helps explain the way they frame the capabilities of their own technologies.

Doug and Liberty also discuss the lack of transparency behind Big Tech and Big AI, whether AI companies are worthy of public trust, and how Silicon Valley’s motto to “move fast and break things” often results in humans themselves being broken. Doug ends with encouragement and some practical advice for Christians in these times of rapid change and tech advancement.

Be sure to check out Doug’s website and reach out to him with questions, and watch for his forthcoming book, [Un]Intelligence: The Lies Behind Today’s AI and the Truths You Need to Thrive. 

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Why Conservatives Should be AI-Skeptical

Is it ok for conservatives to be AI skeptics? With popular Democratic politicians rampaging against AI data centers and the Trump administration emphasizing the need to stay ahead of China in AI development, some on the right may believe that opposition to or skepticism about AI is “leftist coded.”

In this episode, Liberty highlights a recent article by Gregory Conti and makes the case that conservatives can and should express skepticism about many of the ways AI is currently being integrated into society today.

Liberty argues that being a conservative critic of artificial intelligence does not mean…

  • That you are a Luddite
  • That you are opposed to all technology, progress, or benefits of the modern world
  • That you are falling for far-left or foreign propaganda
  • That you oppose capitalism
  • That you don’t care about job development

Listen for more, and comment with your own concerns and/or hopes for AI.

More Resources: The AI Apocalypse Is Already Here by Gregory Conti https://www.compactmag.com/article/th…

Republicans, Democrats now equally concerned about AI in daily life, but views on regulation differ https://www.pewresearch.org/short-rea…

Fox News Poll: Coll your servers! Voters reject data centers https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-…

Here Comes ‘Death by AI’ https://www.thefp.com/p/here-comes-de…

What Christians Should Know About Chatbots, Big Tech, and the Bible with Doug Smith (Know Why Podcast)    • What Christians Should Know About Chatbots…  

Understanding Transhumanism With the Help of Tolkien, Lewis, and Ancient Literature (Know Why Podcast)    • Understanding Transhumanism With Help from…  

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Robot Pets for the Lonely?

What this new AI-powered product reveals about us

The man behind the robot vacuum has developed something new—”The Familiar,” an AI-powered robot “pet” designed to bond with its owner. 

While the product itself is interesting or weird, depending on how you look at it, its existence highlights deeper issues in American society today, including…

  • The growing loneliness problem
  • Falling fertility rates and an aging society
  • The lie that autonomy leads to fulfillment
  • And more.

Listen to understand how we should think about many of the new AI products being pushed on everyday people and how we can build a society where AI friends, companions, and “familiars” aren’t needed. 

More Resources: 

The Roomba Guy’s Second Act: A Robot You’ll Want to Snuggle

https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/familiar-machines-and-magic-robot-c8711e45?st=1KpV63&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Who do Americans spend time with over their lives? (Graph)

Does This New Study Reveal the Keys to Human Flourishing? (Know Why Podcast)

Dismal Demographic

Dismal Demographic

More Gen Z Adults Say Life Can Be Fulfilling Without Marriage, Children: study

https://www.christianpost.com/news/more-gen-z-adults-say-life-can-be-fulfilling-without-marriage.html?utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=Daily&utm_medium=newsletter

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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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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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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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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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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