In January of this year, a Jewish rabbi (Joshua Franklin) in New York did an interesting experiment. He asked the congregation to guess where his next sermon was “plagiarized” from (you can search for this sermon video online). After the sermon was over, the congregation could not guess who wrote it. The answer was revealed that it was written by a chatbot (ChatGPT) 😲. In the past six months, ChatGPT has been the hottest topic in the technology industry. Everyone is discussing how to apply it to various industries. Some people say that it will be the fourth industrial revolution (the previous industrial revolutions can be classified as: 1) steam power to mechanize production, 2) electric power production, and 3) using electronics/information/the internet to automate production). Each industrial revolution brought earth-shaking changes to humankind. Therefore, in the foreseeable future, we will see many irreversible impacts on our lives.
Through the interaction with ChatGPT on the computer, almost any question can be answered (though whether it is correct or not is another thing). It can compose music, produce animated movies, write articles, do homework [I once tried helping with my niece’s statistics homework; unfortunately, I had already forgotten everything I’d learned before ☹ I was shocked when I saw how easily ChatGPT correctly answered the question.], analyze data, perform scientific research, and even write sermons [I was preparing a sermon on Luke 9:51-56 some time ago. Out of curiosity, I asked it to outline the sermon. Sure enough, it looked like a real one].
So, what role does ChatGPT play in our faith? First of all, it uses machine learning with a large dataset to train and fine-tune based on a pre-trained model. By using datasets (sermons, commentaries, etc.) with a pre-trained model, we can use it to generate a seemingly structured and gorgeous sermon. But the main problem is that ChatGPT is non-human, and it does not have the Holy Spirit dwelt within. In other words, this generated sermon is not based on God’s word and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Second, what kinds of dataset/pre-trained models are used for training? Is this dataset “correct”? What dataset/pre-trained model is used to compose the sermon content? Judge 21:25 says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This verse reflects the status of our society today. Hence, the generated sermons can easily be skewed or distorted based on whatever we think is the correct dataset and pre-trained model.
Chatbots can be useful tools or bring convenience to life. Some say that it will bring a “Brave New World” to humans. Technology may bring convenience to human beings, but technology is not omnipotent. The basic problems of human beings are rooted in sin. Water can carry boats, but also overturn them, too. Technology and money are also like this. We can use it for good in God's sight, and we can use it for evil. It depends on what perspective and principles we use them with. James 3:17 says, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." May God grant us wisdom from above so that our actions can be worthy of His calling.