Things as They Really Are 2.0 | The Hidden Dangers of AI

Introduction

Susan and I are grateful for this opportunity to worship and learn with you. We love you all over the world, wherever you are. We earnestly pray that the Holy Ghost will bless each of us to hear what we need to hear and to see what we need to see, so we can press forward with faith in the Savior and an increased desire to follow and serve Him.

We are blessed to live in a remarkable season in the final gospel dispensation, even the dispensation of the fullness of times. The holy scriptures and prophetic pronouncements help us to learn about, and more fully appreciate, the truly distinctive days in which we live. The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that the building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age. It is a theme upon which prophets, priests, and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight. They have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations, they have sung, written, and prophesied of our day, yet died without the sight. It is left for us to see, participate in, and help to propel forward the Latter-Day glory.

On another occasion, the Prophet revealed that the heavenly priesthood bearers will unite with the earthly to bring about those great purposes—a work that God and angels have contemplated with delight for generations past. This is a work destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, renovation of the earth, glory of God, and the salvation of the human family. The spiritual significance of the latter days has been the focus of prophetic attention for centuries. The special season in which we live is now, and will continue to be, filled with stunning spiritual developments and happenings.

An important aspect of the fullness that is available to us today is a miraculous progression of innovations and inventions that have enabled and accelerated God's work of salvation and exaltation. From trains to telegraphs, radios, automobiles, airplanes, telephones, transistors, televisions, computers, satellite transmissions, the internet, and artificial intelligence, all these advancements are part of the Lord hastening His work in the latter days. In 1862, Brigham Young declared that every discovery in science and art that is truly useful has been given by direct revelation from God, though few acknowledge it. These discoveries are meant to prepare the way for the ultimate triumph of truth and the redemption of the earth from sin's power.

We should take advantage of these great discoveries, giving our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in this great work. In 1966, President David O. McKay prophesied that scientific discoveries would make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people.

During a worldwide devotional for young adults, I discussed our Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness and emphasized the importance of our physical bodies in that plan. I raised a voice of warning about the potentially harmful effects digital technologies can have on our souls and relationships. The real challenge is understanding innovations and changes within the eternal plan of happiness.

I offered two questions for personal pondering and prayerful study:

Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?
Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, love, and serve in meaningful ways?

The title of my message in 2009 was "Things as They Really Are." This is now "Things as They Really Are 2.0."

The origin of my message today is found in the conclusion of a devotional talk I delivered at Brigham Young University earlier this year. I exhort you to be wise in your use of contemporary technological tools. Innovations like artificial intelligence have the potential to assist you in receiving magnificent blessings, but they can also diminish and suffocate your moral agency. Do not let the supposed accuracy and speed of modern technologies entice you to avoid the righteous work that invites blessings into your life.

There are no spiritual shortcuts or quick fixes. I will focus on three subjects: artificial intelligence, moral agency, and righteous work.

Artificial intelligence (AI) enables computers to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities. Its development has progressed rapidly and impacted almost every field, including medicine, science, education, art, and manufacturing. AI has limitless perils and untold possibilities. This remarkable technology can advance knowledge and improve quality of life, yet it can obscure our true identity as children of God, distract us from eternal truths, and distort meaningful human interaction.

Consider the perilous possibility of an AI-developed companion—designed to fulfill emotional and social needs. It may create a false sense of connection, eroding authentic human relationships. Like carbon monoxide, it can become an invisible killer of real relationships. Please remember, an AI companion is merely a mathematical algorithm. It does not care; it cannot fulfill the role of a real person.

While AI is not inherently bad, we must be aware of and guard against its perils. As Latter-Day Saints, our responsibility includes identifying gospel principles to guide our use of AI and striving for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Review the AI guiding principles developed by the Church to build personal safeguards.

President Russell M. Nelson recently emphasized the importance of personal revelation in our lives. In coming days, spiritual survival will hinge on the guiding, directing, and comforting influence of the Holy Ghost.

What does it mean that AI can diminish our moral agency? Moral agency is the ability and privilege to choose and act for ourselves in ways that are good, honest, virtuous, and honorable. It empowers us to become agents who can act, not merely objects to be acted upon.

Lucifer rebelled against the father’s plan, aiming to destroy moral agency. The earth was created as a place for Heavenly Father's children to exercise their agency and act in righteousness. Understanding moral agency compels us to love one another and choose God.

As we strive to avoid the ease of AI, we must ensure that we remain agents who exercise our moral agency rather than objects acted upon. The credibility and promises of scientific progress can deceive us, making us surrender our precious moral agency.

AI cannot bear witness of the Father and Son, nor reveal eternal truths or sanctify those who repent. Truth is knowledge of things as they really are. By wisely preserving and exercising our moral agency, we can avoid deception and prosper spiritually.

The understanding of Heavenly Father’s plan about righteous work is essential for spiritual progress. Work is a vital expression of our divine potential. As President Thomas S. Monson explained, God left the world unfinished for us to put our skills to work.

Righteous work is tied closely to moral agency; it’s entrenched in our faith and divine potential. Faith in Christ encourages us to act, trust in His teachings, and become what the Lord invites us to be.

I have serious concerns over the possible spiritual slothfulness that AI may induce. Sacrament meeting messages generated by AI may seem convenient, but do they truly meet our spiritual needs? While AI might assist in gathering information, our divine capacities to create and work belong to us alone and must not be surrendered.

We should not sell our spiritual birthright for technological ease. The law of the harvest is true—what we sow, we will ultimately reap. Ongoing conversion, personal revelation, and the pursuit of the Spirit require concentrated, righteous work.

Let me be clear: we do not earn God's blessings solely through our works. However, we have the spiritual obligation to create, learn, and strive for personal growth through righteous work. My warning voice now is even more urgent, as technology's perils and possibilities surround us everywhere.

In conclusion, the Holy Ghost bears witness of truth. We are responsible for ensuring it can always attest to authenticity in what we express. We can learn to use technology Holily, guided and protected by the Holy Ghost.

I testify that Heavenly Father lives and is the author of the great plan of happiness. Jesus Christ is the Father's only begotten Son and our Redeemer. We are blessed to live in a remarkable season of the dispensation of the fullness of times. I joyfully bear witness of all these truths in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence
Moral Agency
Spiritual Progress
Righteous Work
Technology Perils
Divine Potential
Personal Revelation
Holy Ghost
Agency vs. Objects

FAQ

Q: What is the main concern regarding artificial intelligence in the context of moral agency?
A: The main concern is that AI can diminish our moral agency by making us rely on technological solutions instead of exercising our ability to choose and act according to eternal truths.

Q: How can AI potentially impact relationships?
A: AI companions can create a false sense of connection and emotional intimacy, which may erode authentic human relationships and lead to isolation.

Q: What is the importance of righteous work in spiritual progress?
A: Righteous work is crucial for spiritual growth as it signifies our divine potential and personal agency to love God and serve others.

Q: What should we be mindful of when using digital technologies?
A: We should be mindful of how these technologies impact our relationship with the Holy Ghost, our capacity to love and serve meaningfully, and our overall spiritual well-being.

Q: How does one maintain their moral agency in a technology-driven world?
A: By identifying gospel principles to guide the use of technology, striving for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and focusing on personal creation and growth rather than reliance on tools.