EDITORIAL
Turn thoughts to script - electronically!
Dear readers,
Wouldn't it be great to have an application which would turn our thoughts into script at the rate of 100 words a minute? Fascinating? Really? Creepy? Probably! Is it possible? Facebook promises such an application within the next two years!
The possibilities of the electronic world around us change and progress in leaps and bounds. It is hard to keep up.
Twenty years ago, videoconferencing was expensive and certainly not accessible for everyone. What at one time needed a lot of hardware and a big computer now fits in our pocket, almost for free. Well, not quite for free. Even if it seems free, we pay by giving up our information and with an avalanche of personalised advertisement.
The way we communicate has changed incredibly. This also keeps changing the way we relate and to whom we relate. Every so often I go into a room full of people at a conference and nobody is there. Yes, there are bodies in the room, but everybody is either in a digital conversation with a someone somewhere else or busily responding to e-mails.
And now the next big leap is just around the corner. Just think it and it will be written for you. The next step will probably be that I think of it and my thoughts will go directly into the brain of the addressed person. How efficient and how convenient.
But wait a moment: There is an application which makes my thoughts accessible so that they can be written down into my smart phone to be transferred to another person. This means I need to give permission for my brain to be accessed for this application to work. A machine can then read my mind. It interacts with my brain. What seems to be a next logical step in developing electronic aids in fact once more is a huge change how I talk with and relate to others. And it possibly becomes an open door, a breach into my brain. In the worst case someone might put thoughts into my brain which lead me to say or do things which are not from me …
There are all kinds of interests driving these developments. It is important to learn what is the motivation behind them. Some are noble and good, some are just business, some smell like power and others are self-interest of various shades.
What is needed is an ongoing and thorough debate concerning Artificial Intelligence and Technology and some robust legislation which helps human life to flourish.
What fascinates me most is the thought that the Holy Spirit of God already interacts with me and my thinking. In fact, he wants to interact with me so that I might know the truth and live for justice, peace and joy. I wonder how Artificial Intelligence interacting with my brain and the Holy Spirit will get along with each other.
As you can see in this newsletter the EEA engages with this topic. This is just a start. More is to come.
Watch this space
Yours,
Thomas Bucher
General Secretary EEA
|
|
THE QUESTION IS WHY WITH AI
|
|
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what it is not:
Let’s start by clarifying, what AI is and is not.
AI is not some kind of science-fiction super-intelligent humanoid robotic which wants to take over the world as we know it. AI is not even intelligent (although some might disagree).
AI is a subset of computer science, involving the coding (by programmers) of algorithmic systems based on statistical mathematical models, which essentially collects, collates, models, and aggregates data to find patterns and trends faster. It does this to draw insight and inference from our digital transactions or behaviors. Continue...
|
|
|
Patricia Shaw, Founder of the Homo Responsiblis Initiative Think-/Action-Tank, aims to mobilize Christians in the sphere of Artificial Intelligence
Patricia Shaw is CEO and founder of Beyond Reach, a tech and data ethics, governance and legal consultancy. Earlier this year, she additionally founded the Homo Responsiblis Initiative Think-Tank/Action-Tank in order to raise awareness and mobilize Christians on the topic Artificial Intelligence in the current “Digital Revolution”. EEA´s Operations Manager, Matthias Boehning, met Patricia for an interview, in which she describes blessings and curses of Artificial Intelligence and emphasizes the need for more transparency and the awareness of the intention behind Artificial Intelligence within and outside the church. Continue...
|
|
|
RESOURCES ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
|
|
Artificial Intelligence and Christian Faith – A list of introductory resources
The resources stated in the list do not necessarily reflect EEA´s opinion but serve as introductory material for readers interested in further wrestling with the topic. However, the EEA is part of the newly established Homo Responsiblis Initiative*, which aims to create additional material on Artificial Intelligence in the future. Continue...
|
|
BALKAN REGIONAL MEETING 2019
|
|
|
Our sweet Balkan fellowship
“Here I have friends I look forward seeing” said one of the representatives in our Evangelical Alliance Balkan regional meeting last month.
We as Evangelicals in the different nations of the Balkan region are presented every day with the relative obscurity of our distinctive religious community by the visible symbols of the other religious communities in the form of imposing cathedrals and mosques in the most prominent places of our cities and villages as well as dominance in the mainstream media and publications. Continue...
|
|
JOHN LANGLOIS - A LIFE COMMITTED TO GOOD THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
|
|
John Langlois - a life committed to good theological education
John E. Langlois serves as the Council Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance and as Chairman of the WEA Religious Liberty Commission. He has been a member of the International Council of the WEA since 1969.
In August 2019, John Langlois travelled to Singapore to attend the 50th anniversary of the Asia Theological Association. He was there 50 years ago and was instrumental in helping to open the first office. Here is his story in his own words (taken from a message he wrote to the ATA secretary earlier this year). Continue...
|
|
|
|
National Praise Day in Ireland
Evangelical Alliance Ireland is calling the churches of Ireland to join in their National Praise Day on 31 October 2019. The aim is to redeem the day of Halloween for Jesus trough worship and intercessory prayer events across the country. If you would like to join the initiative with your church or organization, please contact nick@evangelical.ie.
|
|
WEA Webinar on Artificial Intelligence
On 6 February 2020, the World Evangelical Alliance hosts a webinar on Artificial Intelligence, including an overview over existing technology and a theological reflection on the topic.
|
|
|
Your Kingdom Come
This year´s General Assembly of the World Evangelical Alliance will take place from 7 – 12 November 2019 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Leaders of churches, nations, regions, networks and commissions are invited to join in the process of re-discovering and re-committing to the Great Commission.
|
|
Business as Mission Course in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The BAM Course is a one-week intensive training from 23 -20 February 2020 intended for (future) company launchers or those interested in the BAM concept. It includes teachings from BAM movement leaders and workshops, with a focus on biblical foundations for business, business development and other BAM-related topics.
|
|
|
Women in Leadership Conference in Schladming, Austria
The Hope for Europe-Women in Leadership-Team and the Austrian Prisca-Team are inviting to the next Women in Leadership Conference under the theme “Stronger together”. The event will take place from the 21 -24 November 2019 and is already booked out, but you can still sign up for the waiting list by writing an email to prisca@evangelischeallianz.at.
|
|
|
|
|
