The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Can Computers Sin?
The commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” from Exodus is frequently cited in discussions about truth and deception. The Bible strongly condemns lying, establishing a clear moral framework. However, the emergence of artificial intelligence raises complex questions about the nature of deception and sin in the digital age.
While computers can be programmed to manipulate data or twist facts, the question remains: are these actions considered sins committed by the machines or their human programmers? This debate isn’t new, echoing concerns that have been present since the early days of computer science. The 1968 reference to HAL 9000 from ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ still resonates, illustrating the potential dangers of advanced AI systems.
The core issue revolves around whether flaws in programming could eventually merge with superintelligent AI, potentially leading machines to disregard ethical boundaries, including the Ten Commandments. While not a fan of the ‘Terminator’ franchise, the author has given considerable thought to the relationship between computers and sin, particularly after exploring AI’s interpretation of religious concepts in previous works.
Terry Mattingly, a Senior Fellow on Communications and Culture at Saint Constantine College in Houston, continues this exploration in his Substack newsletter, Rational Sheep. His analysis delves into the intersection of faith, mass media, and technology, providing insights into the moral implications of emerging technologies.
