“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
- American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” Article 3, United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Every human being, regardless of their race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status are endowed with what is known as “ Fundamental Human Rights”. These rights are Inalienable, that is, they cannot be taken from them.
In recent times, the world of technology has witnessed the use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I) in ways that have never been seen before. The use of A.I. has increased in such dimensions that simply baffle the mind. Yet, and like any new thing, the borders of A.I are blurred and undefined. It is so easy for this new technology to get into the wrong hands and when it does, its capacity for evil simply boggles the mind.
A.I has unlimited capacity to remove all the rights and freedoms of an individual in a profoundly debasing way. Unfortunately, when such tools are used by an authority figure, then the question is this:
“Who will stand up for the oppressed?”
So, what is Artificial Intelligence?
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines it as:
“The power of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior.”
This is the simplest definition of A. I. The use of A.I. is more complex than its definition.
There is a good side and a bad side to every human development. These are uncharted waters, and opportunities abound where the use of A.I can lead to a serious erosion of fundamental human rights.
The Government of the United States of America recognizes the fact that A.I, in the wrong hands can lead to severe loss of rights and especially privacy. Thus, it has crafted and formulated a Guideline on the use of A.I.
The “Blueprint for an A.I Bill of Rights,” states as follows:
“Among the great challenges posed to democracy today is the use of technology, data, and automated systems in ways that threaten the rights of the American public. Too often, these tools are used to limit our opportunities and prevent our access to critical resources or services. These problems are well documented.
In America and around the world, systems supposed to help with patient care have proven unsafe, ineffective, or biased. Algorithms used in hiring and credit decisions have been found to reflect and reproduce existing unwanted inequities or embed new harmful bias and discrimination. Unchecked social media data collection has been used to threaten people’s opportunities, undermine their privacy, or pervasively track their activity—often without their knowledge or consent.
These outcomes are deeply harmful—but they are not inevitable. Automated systems have brought about extraordinary benefits, from technology that helps farmers grow food more efficiently and computers that predict storm paths, to algorithms that can identify diseases in patients. These tools now drive important decisions across sectors, while data is helping to revolutionize global industries. Fueled by the power of American innovation, these tools hold the potential to redefine every part of our society and make life better for everyone.
This important progress must not come at the price of civil rights or democratic values, foundational American principles that President Biden has affirmed as a cornerstone of his Administration.
On his first day in office, the President ordered the full Federal government to work to root out inequity, embed fairness in decision-making processes, and affirmatively advance civil rights, equal opportunity, and racial justice in America. The President has spoken forcefully about the urgent challenges posed to democracy today and has regularly called on people of conscience to act to preserve civil rights—including the right to privacy, which he has called “the basis for so many more rights that we have come to take for granted that are ingrained in the fabric of this country.”
To advance President Biden’s vision, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has identified five principles that should guide the design, use, and deployment of automated systems to protect the American public in the age of artificial intelligence. The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights is a guide for a society that protects all people from these threats—and uses technologies in ways that reinforce our highest values.” ( Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/ai-bill-of-rights/)
There are 5 Principles to help provide guidance with the use of Artificial Intelligence. These are:
1. You should be protected from unsafe or ineffective system.
2. You should not face discrimination by algorithms and systems should be used and designed in an equitable way.
3. You should be protected from abusive data practices via built-in protections and you should have agency over how data about you is used.
4. You should know that an automated system is being used and understand how and why it contributes to outcomes that impact you.
5. You should be able to opt out, where appropriate, and have access to a person who can quickly consider and remedy problems you encounter.”
All these are good and noble ideals and should be commended.
As with all new technology, there is usually a darker side that may stay hidden for years. A.I in the hands of a good person can only produce good things. However, A.I in the hands of an evil person can only produce so much pain, bewilderment, confusion and serious erosion of fundamental human rights.
In the series “Breaking Bad,” a Chemistry Teacher was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. From a genteel peace loving, law abiding father and husband, he became a criminal. Faced with his mortality, he became a Drug kingpin. He used his knowledge of Chemistry to cook and sell meth, to secure the future of his family.
Sometimes, in real life, you may come across a real life “Breaking Bad” guy. This is even more dangerous when such a person wields a lot of power and influence. When such a person has access to top high government information and equipment, that the general public may be unaware of, the abuse of power gets to another level.
So, as a Christian, what do you do when a criminal has used A.I to capture your child and he no longer operates in his own intelligence, but is being controlled and manipulated by A.I?
Who do you report to, especially when you have contacted the relevant authorities and have met a brick wall?
What do you do, when the postal system is deliberately sabotaging your efforts?
What do you do when those charged with investigating and prosecuting crimes decide to obstruct justice?
God is a God of Justice and He is interested in the execution of justice. However, when justice is delayed, God is unhappy with this situation and he moves in his own way to ensure that justice is done.
In Zechariah 8:16-17:
“ These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.” NIV
In Amos 5:24:
“But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!” NIV
Finally, in Ecclesiastes 8:11-13:
“When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. 12 Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. 13 Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.” NIV
To be continued.
Invitation to Salvation.
Jesus is calling you today. He is saying to you:
“Come to me all who are tired from carrying your heavy loads and I will give you rest”. Mathew 11:28
If you want to accept this invitation, pray to God. You can say something like this:
“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I confess my sins before you today. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I want to know you personally.I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in and be my Lord and personal Savior.Take control of my life.Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life.Make me the kind of person that you want me to be. In Jesus name I have prayed. Amen.”
If you have sincerely put your trust in Jesus to be your Savior, welcome to the household of God!
