SHOW ME: Is Ai entertaining, informative or deceptive?

I grew up in Kansas. It’s neighbor to the east is Missouri, the ‘Show Me’ state. Don’t just tell me, show me.

The ‘Show Me’ slogan was coined near the turn of the 20th century. We are now approaching the quarter marker of the 21st century. It seems we all need to question practically everything, not just what we’re told, but also what we are shown.

Entertainment, Information or Deception

Let’s say what we see is not what know to be. Is that an attempt to deceive? Not always. We watch movies. Let’s consider science fiction for an example. When the Startrek Enterprise travels to distant galaxies, we don’t accuse the filmmakers of trying to deceive us. We know they are entertaining us.

Note: The illustration above is not Ai. I modeled and painted it.

If we watch a documentary on television, we expect to be informed. Later, new evidence emerges that enhances or even contradicts the old information. We had been unintentionally misinformed, not deceived.

With recent advancements of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, it’s getting harder to know when we’re being entertained, informed, misinformed or deceived.

Ai Art

Ai generated art created by Dall-E, Midjourney and other technologies can ‘wow’ viewers faster than artists can dream up the ideas. In fact, one doesn’t have to be an artist. It only requires imagination (see example in the video above).

That sounds like the builders of Tower of Babel spoken of in Bible. …the Lord said,

… and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Genesis 11:6

A person using Ai doesn’t need talent to create ‘beautiful’ art, they just need imagination. Interesting art might be a better description.

I purchased my first computer, an Apple 2c and built my first website, keni.com in 1983. So, I’m not a novice with technology. I have to admit; I’m struggling to keep up with the advancements in tech and how it will impact my life. New technologies will impact all of our lives, and not necessarily in a good way. We really need God’s discernment to know when we’re being entertained, informed, misinformed or deceived. 

Here’s how I define deception:

1. The deliberate attempt to mislead through actions or words
2. The deliberate attempt to hide the truth and promote a false narrative or belief
3. A deliberate lie in order to gain an advantage over someone.

Jesus described the signs of the endHis first command, and I consider it to also be a warning is “Don’t be deceived”.

Let’s shine the light, expose deception and cling to the Truth. Jesus said,

I am the light of the world.

John 8:12

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

John 14:4

If you want to know the truth and avoid deception, follow Jesus.