Me and Artificial Intelligence (05/15/2025)

Recently, I have struggled with not getting expected messages in my “inbox.” Then I discovered that they had come to my email account, but AI (Artificial Intelligence) had deemed them spam. So, I had to go in and request that they be restored to my inbox. Then I had to open each one so that AI saw me interested in the message. Then I could delete it without dooming future ones to the spam holder. I hate it when an entity I didn’t choose can trump what I want or choose.

AI is a part of our world now. It impacts how websites treat us and perceive us. It isn’t all bad, as you know. There have been wonderful advances in the use of AI for medical diagnosing, for instance. But our world is changing because of AI, and we need to be alert and aware that everything we see isn’t genuine and everything we hear isn’t from the source we think or true in nature.

AI has caused me to be more alert, which is not a bad thing. We humans have a penchant for coasting when we are comfortable. Jesus warned us, as did all prophets, to be alert, to be watchful, to be intentional about life and what we are doing with it and all of with our resources.

We humans with our God-given intelligence and ingenuity have invented so many things that are good in and of themselves such as fire and steel. But we have learned that most good things can be used for harm, as well. Steel is great, but it can be used for weapons of war. The internet is great, but it can be used to fool others, to scam others. Fire is great but its power used for ill such as arson can be deadly and destructive. Time has shown us it is not the instrument that is bad, it is our human intention. And so, we must remain vigilant.

This problem-solving expedition of mine into where my messages were going led me to also consider other things in my life that are not bad, in and of themselves, but that I can misuse or overindulge to my own detriment such as television, computers and my mobile phone. I monitored myself for a few days and realized I’d developed some bad habits where they are concerned. I know it’s not Lent, but there is no bad time to make good decisions and cutting back on some of these time-wasting activities is a good decision for me.

As we make our spiritual journey through life, we are called daily to consider the impact of our physical and mental activities on our spiritual growth and health. May we commit to seeking a balance in our lives that allows the physical and mental activities to strengthen our spirituality rather than detract from it.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.