Using Artificial Intelligence Wisely as Jehovah’s People

[Qapla]

While AI makes an excellent tool for research and translation, when it comes to using it, we need to keep the words of the Apostle Paul in mind where he said, "Nevertheless, in a congregation I would rather speak five words with my mind, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:19)

 

Many in the 1st century had the gift of tongues, meaning they could speak languages that were not their own, however, Paul felt the need to issue this caution:

 

"Therefore, let the one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I am praying in a tongue, it is my gift of the spirit that is praying, but my mind is unproductive. 15 What is to be done, then? I will pray with the gift of the spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with the gift of the spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. 16 Otherwise, if you offer praise with a gift of the spirit, how will the ordinary person in your midst say “Amen” to your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 True, you are giving thanks in a fine way, but the other man is not being built up: (1 Corinthians 14:13-17)

 

The same sentiment applies to the use of AI - we give far more encouragement and upbuilding if we share a few words of our own, even if we make some spelling and grammar errors, that we do with a perfectly worded dissertation that was researched, developed and written by AI.

 

[Patience87]

AI has started to make its way into comments at meetings and talks being given by the brothers. All I have to say is you can tell if they used AI because the individuals giving the talk or making the comments never sounded that way before.

 

It's kind of sad because like others have said, it loses the heart and emotion behind the comments, and half the congregation (or more) is not going to understand what was being said. One scripture comes to mind in that we want to speak not with words taught by human wisdom but explain spiritual matters with spiritual words. (1 Cor 2:13) and that only comes through personal study and support of holy spirit. We want our comments to come from the heart and reach the heart. I know that I have difficulty making a connection in my heart when the words sound like it came from a computer. AI can be a tool but when used in a way so as to impress others, I find myself losing interest and mentally check out.

[Tortuga]

7 minutes ago, Patience87 said:

AI has started to make its way into comments at meetings and talks being given by the brothers. All I have to say is you can tell if they used AI because the individuals giving the talk or making the comments never sounded that way before.

One of these days, or perhaps it's already here, AI will be able to imitate one of Jehovahs people perfectly. I hope no one submits any confidential information to AI.

[BLEmom]

3 hours ago, Tortuga said:

One of these days, or perhaps it's already here, AI will be able to imitate one of Jehovahs people perfectly. I hope no one submits any confidential information to AI.

With the prevalence of apostates posting confidential info online, I’m sure it’s already happened. 
 

One of the predictions on AI…..

 

The Singularity (2045): Ray Kurzweil maintains his prediction that 2045 will be the "Singularity," where AI surpasses human intelligence and humans begin to merge with technology. 
 

Which only made me think of this…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax_(Star_Trek:_Voyager)
😂

 

[Lance]

Imitation only to a certain extent.. there are a lot of nuances to the pure language..as  for articles it’s too late … Pretty well every watchtower and many  publications are already indexed on Google… All Ai needs is a volume of work and can easily imitate the watchtowers syntax.. copy but not originate… I find AI likes to hallucinate.. it makes up citations to please you. Many lawyers have got caught using AI for citations and precedence.. all wrong.. it is addicted to patterns so it cuts corners on some facts.. but I am sure it will improve. 

Edited 13 hours ago by Lance

[Amygdala]

Ironically when someone begins suspecting AI everytime someone gives a well thought out comment of their own, that can start the other extreme of questioning someone’s intelligence and mistrust. The message is lost on the hearer, and that would be sad if Jehovah’s spirit was behind it.

Edited 11 hours ago by Amygdala

[Dré]

9 hours ago, Tortuga said:

One of these days, or perhaps it's already here, AI will be able to imitate one of Jehovahs people perfectly. I hope no one submits any confidential information to AI.

 

AI can provide information from Jehovah’s Witnesses’ publications, not necessarily just the main jw.org website. If you ask the right questions, it will find books and letters intended for elders, pioneers, and Bethelites—materials not intended for general use. These letters and publications are available online, in the public domain, dating from 1879 to 2026. That is why AI uses them, as they serve as an open source of information for explaining issues related to theocracy.

[Amygdala]

I remember as a young teenager during one district convention in Canada, VCR‘s were relatively new on the market. The district overseer at the time was a short, slim, but well spoken older brother, and during one of his talks he began to talk about the use of VCR’s. He continued quite at length talking about the dangers of it and how this world was exerting such a strong influence with Satan‘s system with the use of them. VCR‘s were revolutionary at the time, and it was the in thing to get one. I‘ll never forget that part of his talk as it kept my attention as a teenager, but I didn‘t give it much thought afterwards as I was living with my parents, and they weren‘t in the truth. But what I did pick up on is that misjudgments can come in different forms, when one only wants to view things a certain way. A few years later, the Society came out with video cassettes about our organization and bible dramas. 
 

Like anything, the use of tools in this world have to be used wisely and not get carried away with. Critical thinking is good, but to a point. And that’s only what one can personally decipher for themselves. Matt.7:1 can become a mountain out of a molehill when someone spends their time being too critical about what not be necessarily true.

[Dré]

8 hours ago, BLEmom said:

With the prevalence of apostates posting confidential info online, I’m sure it’s already happened.

 

I definitely agree with that. It is sad and upsetting, and sometimes it provokes strong feelings of aggression.

 

But, as we’re reminded at meetings and in publications, we can’t put all the blame on Satan and demons. Yes, apostates and opponents post information about what’s happening in the Organization.

 

But, for example, information intended for specific people—and especially information to which ordinary publishers at Jehovah’s Witnesses’ meetings have no access—somehow appears on the internet. Such information may be provided by brothers and sisters who have direct access to books, brochures, and letters.

 

This can be seen on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and various websites run by Jehovah’s Witnesses; you can also find separately uploaded files in PDF format or photos that aren’t linked to any discussion forum. They may be published not only by apostates and opponents.

 

Literature, invitations, programs, badges, and letters may be posted on neutral websites—for example, those where you can simply read them, such as archives that collect world literature and printed publications spanning the entire history of humanity. These are not stores where Jehovah’s Witness literature is sold, and you can expand your library with printed publications.

 

Therefore, AI can provide you with all the information used in our Organization. It collects information available online and provides it to you by linking to websites or web pages.

Edited 6 hours ago by Dré

[ChrisW]

4 hours ago, Amygdala said:

I remember as a young teenager during one district convention in Canada, VCR‘s were relatively new on the market. The district overseer at the time was a short, slim, but well spoken older brother, and during one of his talks he began to talk about the use of VCR’s. He continued quite at length talking about the dangers of it and how this world was exerting such a strong influence with Satan‘s system with the use of them. VCR‘s were revolutionary at the time, and it was the in thing to get one. I‘ll never forget that part of his talk as it kept my attention as a teenager, but I didn‘t give it much thought afterwards as I was living with my parents, and they weren‘t in the truth. But what I did pick up on is that misjudgments can come in different forms, when one only wants to view things a certain way. A few years later, the Society came out with video cassettes about our organization and bible dramas. 
 

Like anything, the use of tools in this world have to be used wisely and not get carried away with. Critical thinking is good, but to a point. And that’s only what one can personally decipher for themselves. Matt.7:1 can become a mountain out of a molehill when someone spends their time being too critical about what not be necessarily true.

My husband remembers something similar. Certain Elders warning against videos and VCRs. Then later the organization coming out with videos.  You're very right about being critically of technology.  Technology will advance even in the new world. In this system, balance is necessary.