Media Alert!
February 2025
Blog #63
Sue Summers
MediaSavvyKids.org
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)
AI: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Artificial intelligence (AI) is in the news! ChatGPT was all the rage a few years ago, and now the buzz is focused on DeepSeek – software from an innovative company located in the city of Hangzhou, China. DeepSeek is a free AI-powered chatbot, which looks, feels, and works very much like ChatGPT.
“To understand why DeepSeek has made such a stir, it helps to start with AI and its capability to make a computer seem like a person. A machine uses the technology to learn and solve problems, typically by being trained on massive amounts of information and recognizing patterns.
The end result is software that can have conversations like a person or predict people’s shopping habits. In recent years, it has become best known as the tech behind chatbots such as ChatGPT – and DeepSeek – also known as generative AI.
These programs again learn from huge swathes of data, including online text and images, to be able to make new content.” (www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv5976z9po)
Make new content – that’s the magic of AI. The new technology can pull wording, images, and data from the Internet’s stockpile of seemingly limitless information and create new material, such as modern architecture, essays, songs, art, sermons, job applications, scripts for movies or TV programs, poems, and who knows what else.
Unlike the plagiarism of the past, the new creations of DeepSeek are not stolen or copied – they are synthesized. In essence, AI is technology that can understand, learn, and solve problems on its own. And at lightning speed!
“One of the most pressing concerns is data security and privacy, as it openly states that it will collect sensitive information such as users’ keystroke patterns and rhythms.
Moreover, the issue of censorship cannot be ignored. DeepSeek has conceded that its programming and knowledge base are tailored to comply with China’s laws and regulations, as well as promote socialist core values.” (https://helenraleigh.substack.com/p/deepseek-is-a-wakeup-call-that-the?utm_source=publication-search)
DeepSeek became the most downloaded free app in the US just one week after it was launched on January 10, 2025.
Let’s consider Ultimate Intelligence (UI), which can only be attributed to our Heavenly Father, God Himself, the Author and Creator of:
• All Knowledge
• All Truth
• All Power
• All Justice
• All Forgiveness
• All Love
• All Compassion
• All Creation
What a wonderful world He has made for all of us! AI can only begin to scratch the surface of His Ultimate Intelligence (UI).
Artificial intelligence is here to stay. There will evolve more innovative software that continues to “learn” and develop. The concern is how we will discern what is “real” – created by humans from their own research, understanding, and creativity – and what is manufactured by computers – and how the role and means of human interface will grow alongside the development of AI.
Technology is neither good nor evil; how humanity utilizes it determines its morality.
So how can we help teens become media-savvy about the culture that surrounds them?
Technology is changing rapidly. Learning the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence is an ongoing concern and requirement for navigating the new horizons that will be created. Teens – and truly all of us – are relying more and more on technology for research and reports, rather than individual investigation. No more pouring over tens of sites suggested by Google to find the answers to your questions, just ask your AI of choice. Now is the time for conversations about “the good, the bad, and the ugly” of technological advancements. Here are some discussion starters for instigating conversation.
• Let’s discuss examples of technology that make your life easier, safer, or more enjoyable.
• Ask, “What technology can you think of that is used in various fields such as healthcare, aviation, entertainment, agriculture, and industry?”
• Share, “Artificial intelligence can pull wording, images, and data from the Internet’s stockpile of seemingly limitless information and create new material, such as modern architecture, essays, songs, art, sermons, job applications, scripts for movies or TV programs, poems, and who knows what else.” Ask, “What are your feelings about artificial intelligence?”
• Ask, “Have you heard of Chat:GPT and DeepSeek? What do you know about these new software innovations?”
• Ask, “What are some good aspects of artificial intelligence? Are there any concerns that you can think of?”
• Ask, “Do you think it’s possible that some people may confuse artificial intelligence with God-given human intelligence and wisdom?”
• Share and discuss how this scripture could serve as a lighthouse in the age of AI:
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” (Colossians 1:10, NIV)
Note: Share this blog with your church’s youth pastor as a lesson for youth group gatherings.
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Sue Summers is a Christian media analyst, teacher, author, and speaker.
She is the Director of Media Alert!
Contact Info:
Blogs: MediaSavvyKids.org
Website: http://www.MediaAlert.org
Email: Sue@MediaAlert.org
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