June 2019 – Article 1:
Are you aware of the current unknowns and far reaching potential dangers associated with ever changing technology and artificial intelligence?
Announced by researchers at Cornell University, their technology one day could permanently alter the concept of humanity and how we live our lives. It might eventually result in robots that can reproduce themselves.
“We are introducing a brand new, life-like material powered by its very own artificial metabolism. We are not making something that’s alive, but we are creating materials that are much more life-like than have ever been seen before,” explained Dan Lou, professor of biological and environmental engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
“The designs are still primitive, but they showed a new route to create dynamic machines from biomolecules. Even from a simple design, we were able to create sophisticated behaviors like racing. Artificial metabolism could open a new frontier in robotics,” said Shogo Hamada, a member of the team and author of the study.
He added that “…one day we may be able to grow objects like houses and maintain their forms and functions autonomously,” and could “open a new frontier in robots.”
The development uses a process dubbed “DASH” (DNA-based Assembly and Synthesis of Hierarchical materials).
Funding for the project was provided in part by the National Science Foundation and supported by the Cornell Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility. Similar research is being conducted in China.
God created man in His image and breathed the breath of life into him (Genesis 2:7).
Now man is trying to duplicate God with his own creation by producing life-like creatures that can move, eat, grow, and die using artificial metabolism.
Using AI to Eavesdrop & Maintain Political Correctness
Creating life-like robots depends on artificial intelligence (AI), which is generally described as getting a computer to do things, which when done by people, is considered intelligence.
To be considered AI, a machine (or robot) must have the ability to learn like humans, and be able to autonomously increase their own knowledge.
A prime example of machine learning is teaching computers how to identify images, such as recognizing human faces.
Even seemingly benign uses of AI such as IPhone’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa can be dangerous. While these applications can tell you the latest sports score, recent reports indicate that they may be listening to, and possibly recording, your conversations when you don’t think they are.
Another instance of advanced AI is Microsoft’s latest version of “Word” (to be released this fall), which will use AI-based software to offer users “advice on more concise and inclusive language” – aka politically correct (PC) speech.
For example, if you type the word “policeman,” it will suggest “police officer.”
It’s not hard to imagine future versions that will offer alternatives to—or even block—words considered by some to be hateful or bigoted.
Artificial Intelligence used for Racial Profiling
In China, the government is using a vast, sophisticated system of advanced facial recognition technology to track and control 11 million Uighurs, a largely Muslin minority. It’s the first known example of a government intentionally using artificial intelligence for racial profiling.
A network of surveillance cameras looks exclusively for Uighurs based on their appearance and keeps records of their comings and goings.
In the United States, federal, state, and local law enforcement officials are increasingly using similar, although currently less onerous, technologies to combat crime.
However, given the current tensions in our country, it’s certainly possible that authorities could follow China’s lead and tract specific groups of people, such as Christians and pro-life advocates.
The growing use of facial recognition by law enforcement agencies is highlighted by the fact that the governmental facial biometrics market will soar from $136 million in 2018 to $375 million by 2025.
However, even San Francisco has banned local law enforcement agencies from using facial recognition.
Robots with Personhood
In addition, the European Parliament, sensing potential problems, has proposed granting self-learning robots “electronic personalities”—similar to the legal status of corporations—so they can sue or be sued.
For example, if a robot with “personhood” created a device and patented it, who owns the patent—the robot or its creator?
The EU proposal would also grant robots access to insurance for legal protection in case they damage property or even “go rogue.”
There are many more examples of advances in both artificial intelligence and robotics, which are sounding alarm bells.
Evangelical Christians Express Public Alarm
More than 60 evangelical leaders recently released a statement expressing concern about these developments.
“…no issues keep me awake at night like those surrounding technology and artificial intelligence. The implications artificial intelligence will have for our future are vast,” explained Russell Moore, President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
“It is critical that the church be proactive in understanding AI. It’s also critical that the church insist AI be used in ways consistent with the truth that all people possess dignity and worth, created as they are in the image of God,” Moore added.
These developments are just the latest examples of challenges to the true meaning of Personhood. As robots become more and more sophisticated, we run the risk of blurring the line between man and machine—potentially making our creations more valued than God’s.
Pro-life supporters are strongly encouraged to heed Moore’s call and keep informed on these issues and be prepared to get involved and be ready to sound the alarm when appropriate.
Sources: nytimes.com; myhighplains.com; foxnews.com; christianitytoday.com; cosmosmagazine.com; marshable.com; singularityhub.com; thegospelcoalition.org; futurism.com; technologyreview.com; nbcnews.com.
By Wayne DuBois
Georgia Right to Life
Media Relations Advisor