Those close to me know that I believe generative AI technologies, particularly when used to replace human creative pursuits, are fundamentally a spiritually damaging invention. It is fundamentally wrong and harmful to humanity. We would all be better off if we consigned this technology to the dustbin of history.
I believe this on a deeper level than most of my intellectual concerns. In short, I oppose this technology for religious reasons. I say "religious reasons" because religious convictions are personal and aren't typically up for debate in public conversation. I have no interest in debating the merits of this technology. Also, my actual religious views, such as they are, place a great deal of emphasis on the dignity of the human person and the value of human connections. This technology undermines and devalues both.
Rather than try to expound upon this topic, which makes me depressed and miserable, I will just link some articles by various talented people that I think well encapsulate my views:
For this reason I was very pleased when I saw that Edwin Brady and Jon Sterling had signed and shared this open letter for educators to outright reject the use of generative AI in their classrooms. I was proud to sign. I encourage all of you reading, if you work in education, to sign as well.
Ecce Deus ádiuvat me, et Dóminus suscéptor est ánimæ meæ: avérte mala inimícis meis, in veritáte tua dispérde illos, protéctor meus Dómine.
Today our choir at All Saints Ainslie performed the amazing, brief, but very difficult anthem I Sat Down by John Bairstow, with text taken from the Song of Solomon:
I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was Love.
I sat down under his shadow.
I didn't go to Evensong today both because I was busy and because I suspected the normal St. Paul's Choir would not be singing again.