Media Alert!
March 2026
BLOG #76
Sue Summers
MediaSavvyKids.org
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 (The Message)
AI Update!
Reference to AI (Artificial Intelligence) surrounds us, challenging us to catch up. It seems every business, every organization, every manufacturer, every digital anything is crediting AI for new and improved everything. But what is it really?
“Today, the term ‘AI’ describes a wide range of technologies that power many of the services and goods we use every day – from apps that recommend TV shows to chatbots that provide customer support in real time…
As AI becomes more interwoven into our modern world, knowing how it works and how to use it can help you better leverage the technology at work and in your personal life.” (https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-is-artificial-intelligence)
Many adults are reluctant to accept this new system of technologies. Some even fear the end result of incorporating AI into our culture. But here are some basics about AI:
“Artificial intelligence, often abbreviated as AI, is not a single invention. It is a vast collection of ideas and techniques designed to help machines perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include understanding language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, making predictions, and learning from experience.
At its core, artificial intelligence works by allowing machines to learn patterns from data and use those patterns to make decisions.” (www.sciencenewstoday.org/how-artificial-intelligence-works-a-beginners-guide)
There is no “turning back” – there’s really only speeding up! The best course of action is to become aware of what AI can – and cannot – do well. As with any technology, it is neither good nor evil – it is the heart that uses it that determines its merit.
“AI relies on large amounts of data to make predictions or decisions. For instance, if you’ve ever received a recommendation for a movie or a song you ended up loving, that’s AI at work! It analyzes your past behaviors and tries to find patterns that suggest what you might like next. But while AI can analyze trends and make educated guesses about preferences, it lacks true foresight into your future.” (www.whatsinai.com)
Certainly, there is some legitimate unease about how AI is being used. Consider “deepfakes”:
“Artificial intelligence is dominating the 2026 midterms – and not just as a political issue. Major congressional campaigns are increasingly using ‘deepfake’ AI technology in videos that slam their opponents and amplify endorsements from allies.” (www.dailysignal.com/2026/03/21/artificial-intelligence-is-taking-over-political-campaigns)
Another concern is related to “AI companions”.
“New survey data finds that nearly 1 in 5 high schoolers say they or someone they know has had a romantic relationship with artificial intelligence. And 42% of students surveyed say they or someone they know have used AI for companionship. That’s according to new research from the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT).” (www.npr.org)
Parents, teachers, youth pastors, and counselors need to realize the less than wonderful side of AI:
• Loneliness can lead teens to connect with AI companions.
• AIs have been used to bully and harass with deepfake images.
• AIs create and give away the authorship to whomever asks them to create.
That said, Artificial Intelligence is an exciting technology that makes our daily tasks easier and research more comprehensive in scope. However, as with all technology, awareness and discernment are necessary.
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’t even begin to scratch the surface of His Ultimate Intelligence (UI). No deepfakes there!
So how can we help teens become media-savvy about the culture that surrounds them?
As with all new technological developments, parents and teachers must learn of both the beneficial and potentially harmful aspects. AI is powerful and will require garnering information and growth in understanding, while remaining aware of its destructive capabilities as well. These discussion starters can stimulate teens to think critically about the world they live in, which includes Artificial Intelligence.
• Share, “Let’s talk about Artificial Intelligence – AI.” Ask, “What do you know about AI?”
• Ask, “Do you use ChatGPT, Copilot, or another AI program? If so, how did you use it? Was it easy to use? I’m interested in learning more about AI and how it can be useful.”
• Share, “As we use search engines, like Google, to gather information, these systems now utilize AI to compile findings at lightning speed. How is that helpful?”
• Ask, “Have you heard of ‘deepfakes’? What do you think this means? How could this be dangerous?”
• Ask, “Have any of your friends connected with an AI Companion? What do you think could be the challenges of this new trend?”
• Share, “Not all technology is helpful. Are you aware of any concerns resulting from the use of AI? Let’s talk about them.”
• Ask, “How do you think you might use AI in the future?”
• Share, “I’ve heard that some students now utilize AI to complete homework assignments or create essays, poems, songs, or artwork. Would you do that? Why or why not?”
• Share, “Let’s learn more about how AI is being used in business and online, such as chatbots, marketing, and data collection. We can learn about this together and continue to discuss the role of AI and any concerns there might be.”
• Share, “Let’s discuss how Daniel 2:19-20 in The Message relates to our culture today:
“Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever.
He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history,
He raises up kings and also brings them down, he provides both intelligence and discernment…”
• Ask, “Based on this scripture, how can the Lord help us to develop necessary intelligence and discernment?”
• Continue discussing Artificial Intelligence as this topic seems relevant.
• 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
#MediaSavvyKids, #ChristianParenting, #ChurchAndCulture, #YouthPastors, #YouthGroupCurriculum, #HelpForChristianParents, #TeensAndCulture, #AChangingCulture, #CriticalThinkingAndTeens, #IAmNotDefinedByTheCulture, #ArtificialIntelligence, #AIandTeens, #DevelopingDiscernment
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LET’S RAISE MEDIA-SAVVY KIDS! Lessons to Help Teens Stand for Christ in Today’s Culture
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© Sue Summers 2026
Media Alert! 