Are You Afraid of AI?

AI is quickly integrating into many parts of our daily lives, even as AI developers admit they don’t fully understand how it works. In this session, Norwood expresses the following concerns:

1. Accuracy and bias: AI uses both accurate and inaccurate data, which it presents equally as truth without conscience
2. Over-reliance: dependence on AI can erode critical thinking
3. Loss of human interaction: overuse of AI may reduce meaningful human connections
4. Cultural and religious impact: AI’s responses may introduce secular or conflicting values to students
5. Ethical concerns: AI’s programmed ethics reflect the biases of its creators
6. Emotional manipulation: AI chatbots, designed to mimic human emotions, can foster unhealthy attachments in vulnerable individuals

While AI is inevitable, Norwood urges caution. Anabaptists ought to uphold truth and reality. AI requires thoughtful engagement by people who use it as a tool to build upon creatively, guided by the Holy Spirit.

“Are You Afraid of AI?” was presented by Norwood Shank at CASBI 2025 held at United Christian School in Nappanee, Indiana.