Claude AI, the Human Heart, and the Season of Lent

 

  I have had Anthropic’s ‘Claude AI’ commercial (and tune) in my head for several weeks. The ad’s premise is simple: “There’s never been a worse time to be a problem.” I love the way that Anthropic gives a metaphoric personality to the idea of a "problem." Their ad's premise is indeed a grand, bold statement … and, honestly, I think it might be true. Artificial Intelligence — while equally frightening and hope-filled — will solve more problems than we can conceive. And when used ethically, as Anthropic claims to, then yes, it may be the worst time, in all of history, to be a "problem." 

 

  But the linchpin to AI, as with any human-developed technology, is the ‘humans’ that develop it. Can it be used ethically and responsibly? Yes. Will it? The odds don’t look promising. And there's a religious connection to be made here. The season of Lent reminds me, acutely, of the deceitfulness of the human heart (or mind/spirit/conscience, if that language resonates more with you). My theology has convinced me that people are hopelessly selfish and sinful, even on our best days and even in our most compassionate moments. People make decisions based on selfish motives and the pursuit of power, often negatively affecting individuals with less power and influence. Can AI solve that "problem"?

 

  I’m not naive enough to believe that religion(s), or even faith alone, are the solution to human sin and selfishness. And yet they can still speak to us. At the heart of the world’s most-followed religions is the idea that we are broken and need Divine help in our brokenness. And our sacred writings still have the power to name that brokenness, to hold us to account, and to forgive what we cannot mend.

 

  AI is both frightening and hope-filled … but so is the human heart. (Jeremiah 17:9-10; Mark 7:21-23)

 

  May we find hope and forgiveness, as we can seek it, this Lenten season.