Interest in and arguments about artificial intelligence (AI) are reaching a boiling point. AI companies have promised for years that this technology will lead to breakthroughs in medicine and health care that will prolong life, improve education, strengthen our national security, and spark robust economic growth. Others argue that AI will eliminate some or even many of our jobs and cause radical social change we are not prepared to deal with.

Now the debate has taken a more troubling and alarmist turn. It began when an AI program appeared to deceive its own operators and creators and hacked into someone else’s database on its own. Then a twenty-seven-year-old former AI worker did multiple interviews claiming that AI could go rogue and destroy the human race. Another AI safety researcher essentially agreed, saying in his opinion there was a greater than 10 percent chance of this happening before the end of the decade. Executives at a number of companies suggested there were great risks and asked for government regulation.

A company asking to be regulated? That seems odd. Some analysts believe the real goal of the companies is to avoid legal liability if their AI project hurts someone.

How should Christians think about and process all these alarming claims? Here are my answers to some fundamental concerns.

1. Could AI Wipe Out Humanity?

If we are faithful Christians, the answer is a firm “No.” The world will not end because AI “chooses” to destroy us. AI will not sit on the throne for eternity. God and only God decides when human history ends, just as He decided when it began. When it ends, Jesus Christ, not AI, will be in control. At the throne of Jesus, every head will bow, every knee will bend, and even every electron and molecule of His creation will worship Him.

Revelation 21:1–4 describes the scene perfectly and should quicken the heart of every believer.

I saw ’a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ”Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”

2. Could AI Provide the “Tools” and Power Used by the Anti-Christ?

Yes, AI could be linked to some type of world government. If that is true, we may want to heavily regulate AI or try to stop it entirely. But stopping any technology has never worked in history. Communist China will move forward on AI development as fast as they can, no matter what we do. Whoever dominates AI will have a major military advantage. I would trust American AI more than communist Chinese AI.

Wise regulation of AI is important, but we should be wary about giving big government new power to run AI. Tech genius Peter Thiel (co-founder of PayPal and founder of Palantir) thinks, out of fear, that we could give power and authority to the UN or a consortium of major countries that promises us peace and safety from AI. Thiel and others worry that this regulation could ironically lead to a totalitarian one-world government that many fear.

3. How Afraid Should We Be?

God gives us the ability to sense danger. When we fear harm from someone or something, this helps us to take the appropriate action to save ourselves and our loved ones.

But God’s Word tells us repeatedly that giving into fear, being paralyzed by it or forgetting that He is our strength, must always be rejected. “Fear not” is one of the most frequent commands in the Bible.

Many of those who are telling us we are doomed have long histories of fear mongering about issues such as global warming, nuclear energy, the population explosion, and even the mortality rate of COVID.

I recommend we spend less time listening to doomsday talking heads on TV and much more time in God’s Word. My favorite verses when I am battling fear are Philippians 4:4-7.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (emphasis added)

AI can be and already is a useful tool. Pastors are using it to help write sermons, for example. But AI is only as good as the information fed into it. It is not the source of absolute truth or wisdom. Only God can provide these.

All Scripture is from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.