Superintelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Christian Hope

In our study of the things of God (theology) we often use the obscure word eschatology. The word refers to the part of theology concerned with the final destiny of this world and all of us who live here. As it turns out this subject is much discussed and portrayed in movies, books and among scientists and scholars—most of whom ignore completely what the Christian church has to say about such matters. 

Once in a while I make it my business to check in on what one or the other of those scientists and scholars has to say about eschatology. So I recently read through Nick Bostrom's latest tome, Superinteligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. According to Wikipedia Dr. Bostrom is a 41 year old Swedish philosopher at St. Cross College, University of Oxford. He is known for his work on existential risk, the anthropic principle, human enhancement ethics, superintelligence risks, the reversal test, and consequentialism. I think the latter term refers to the idea that if this or that happens then this is what will result as a consequence. 

In his rather tedious manner Dr. Bostrom points out that the "singularity" is approaching. In current terms that refers to a time in the future when machine technology will take over and human affairs as we know them will not continue—at least the way they have been. He focuses upon Artificial Intelligence (AI).  By that he is not referring to Steven Spielberg's 2001 movie, but in a way he is. He is talking about the day and time when machines will far surpass us humans in intelligence, both individually and collectively. And then what, what, what will happen? 

Here are some of the things he highlights: 

• The Google search engine is, arguably, the greatest AI system that has yet been built. 

• We know that blind evolutionary processes can produce human-level intelligence, since they have already done so at least once. Evolutionary processes with foresight—that is, genetic programs designed and guided by an intelligent human programmer—should be able to achieve a similar outcome with far greater efficiency. 

He doesn't know when this singularity will happen. It is just that he's very concerned that when it does the machines will not be our friends. So what can WE do? We have to reduce the risks of the machine intelligence revolution. We must now develop some strategies. If we do not, well, we just don't know what might happen and we are very uncertain when it will. 

This is going to take lots of money. So we have to find folks who will pony up. And when they do they'll have to be both astute and altruistic, "because they may have opportunities to shape the field's culture before the usual venal interests take up position and entrench." By venal interests he refers to the nasty folks who are always wanting to use technology and machines for their own monetary and power-hungry interests. Somebody or some bodies with good hearts and deep pockets must stand up before something truly dreadful happens. Since before . . . 

"the prospect of an intelligence explosion, we humans are like small children playing with a bomb. Such is the mismatch between the power of our plaything and the immaturity of our conduct. Super intelligence is a challenge for which we are not ready now and will not be ready for a long time. We have little idea when the detonation will occur, though if we hold the device to our ear we can hear a faint ticking sound. . .  

"Nor can we attain safety by running away, for the blast of an intelligence explosion would bring down the entire firmament. Nor is there a grown-up in sight." 

Did you get that? ". . . an intelligence explosion would bring down the entire firmament."  Note: the entire firmament! And not a grown-up in sight. Sounds like something the Apostle Peter said 2,000 years ago when he wrote about the return of the Risen Christ:

They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. - 2 Pet. 3:4-7 ESV 

Of course Dr. Bostrom in true post-enlightenment fashion says nothing about the Second Coming of Christ when he writes about his foreseen explosion. Throughout his long discussion of possibilities for the future he acts and writes as if there is no God who is involved or even vaguely concerned about the destiny of our human race. After all, we are who we are by blind evolutionary chance. So with that as a given, we can only do what we can  do to control this inevitable development with some intelligent genetic programming. Perhaps, just perhaps, it will then turn out to our happy good. Who knows?

Yet we who are in Christ have such a hope do we not? The Apostle Paul writes,

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. - Rom. 8:18-25 ESV

When Paul speaks of creation he means to say that all-that-is is under the control of its Creator. And that Creator has come among us in Jesus Christ to make us one with himself. That's why we look forward with hope in spite of modern forecasts of almost certain doom. And who knows the content of that hope Paul calls "the freedom of the glory of the children of God"? All we know is that we are not afraid. Instead we wait with excitement, for, as Paul also writes in another letter, quoting the prophet Isaiah,

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- - 1 Cor. 2:9 (Isa. 64:4) ESV