Does the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) spell coming disaster for our planet? Is the future of humanity at risk because super-intelligent robots will someday attack and destroy us?
“The Lord said, ‘The people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them’ ” (Genesis 11:6).
The much-celebrated theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking warns that the unregulated development of artificial Intelligence (AI) could eventually lead to the end of the human race. In an interview with the BBC last week, the famous British scientist discussed the benefits of smart machines and the liabilities that could someday make people obsolete.
While Hawking sees great advantages to intelligent technology, he also sees risks. His own synthesized speech software program allows him to communicate as his body deteriorates from a motor neuron disease. He believes the creation of AI might be one of the biggest events in human history, but, “It might also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks.” [1]
Hawking acknowledges his own limited understanding of these challenges. In 2007 he asked an open question on the Internet: “In a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?” A month later he confessed, “I don’t know the answer.” [2]
Hawking has stated he’s an atheist and does not believe in an afterlife. He calls heaven a myth and plainly says, “It is my view that the simplest explanation is that there is no God. No one created the universe, and no one directs our fate.” [3] But is there a better answer to our biggest questions than this?
The Bible provides us unequivocal statements on both the origin of our universe and the future destiny of our planet. Our philosophical problems cannot be answered by humans apart from God. Science is not a trustworthy answer to our moral issues. Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Regarding the future, there are over trustworthy 1,500 prophecies in the Bible predicting the second coming of Christ. For every prophecy on His first coming, there are eight that tell us He will return again. One-fifth of the New Testament explains the Lord’s return. We know from Scripture that every eye will see Him when He comes (Revelation 1:7), that God’s people will be clothed with immortality at His return (1 Corinthians 15:51–54), and that the wicked will fear His coming and try to hide (Revelation 6:14–17).
The end of the human race, as we know it, is sure. All evil, selfishness, immorality, and destructive acts will be destroyed forever. We will not all be blown to pieces by aliens or mechanical humanoids. The earth will be purified by fire and then made new by our Creator (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:1).
For those in the hands of God, the future is bright.
If you’d like to learn more about the final events on our planet, watch this video ...