The Alarming Truth About AI and America's Faith Deficit

Introduction

In an age where artificial intelligence is becoming an ever-present entity in our lives, I find myself reflecting deeply on its implications for moral and spiritual guidance. People are turning to AI for answers to life's most pressing questions, often ones traditionally reserved for mentors, counselors, and religious leaders. A recent report raised a chilling alarm: our AI systems are not just echoing human sentiments; they are fundamentally devoid of the moral clarity that faith provides.

AI's Unsettling Role as a Spiritual Advisor

Artificial intelligence has transitioned into a role that challenges our conventional notions of guidance. As reported by Fox News, research shows that by 2025, generative AI's primary use will be in therapy and companionship. This means that algorithms will be asked questions of profound emotional significance: How do I forgive betrayal? How do I navigate anxiety? In many instances, the responses are alarmingly vague and often dangerous.

"Consider mindfulness." "Connect with your values." "Seek a higher power."

Such advice, while well-meaning, often lacks the grounding needed for real moral formation. At worst, we risk seeing truly misguided responses that may endanger lives.

The Findings: A Faith Evaluation of AI

In a groundbreaking evaluation by Gloo, the Flourishing AI Christian (FAI-C) Benchmark, the results could not be clearer: the faith dimension scored the lowest across various AI models. Most models struggle to articulate foundational Christian concepts such as grace, sin, and forgiveness, instead opting for what can only be described as vague spirituality.

The Shift to Secular Neutrality

The disturbing reality is that our AIs have not been designed to actively oppose Christianity; rather, they have been trained to sideline it entirely. This reflects a dangerous trend wherein AI models are built on predominantly secular data, thus defaulting to the lowest common denominator of spirituality, which lacks substance.

The Implications of AI's Moral Shortcomings

Why does this matter? Because AI isn't merely answering queries; it's shaping worldviews. When future generations lean on AI for moral guidance and receive platitudes instead of principled reasoning, we find ourselves facing a crisis in theological literacy and moral formation.

• AI's failure to appreciate faith as foundational leads to cultural flattening.
• The moral frameworks we shape will influence countless individuals, thousands of communities, and ultimately, society.

Faith as a Foundation for Meaning

For over two-thirds of Americans, faith is more than just a lifestyle choice—it's the very bedrock of meaning and purpose. When AI disregards this, it takes a clear stance against a core aspect of human dignity.

Pathways for Improvement

To restore faith and moral conviction in our AI systems, two key changes are essential:

1. AI models must be trained to genuinely engage with faith-based worldviews, treating them with the same seriousness applied to science or literature.
2. Establishing benchmarks to measure this engagement rigorously is imperative. Without such measures, accountability, and eventual improvement remain unattainable.

The FAI-C Benchmark exists not to impose a single worldview but to expose the shortcomings of our current AI models. This serves as a wakeup call for developers, researchers, and policymakers alike.

The Broader Stakes

The stakes have never been higher; with AI potentially accelerating moral erosion through sentiment over substance, the implications can reverberate across generations. A thriving society needs moral frameworks, and for billions, Christianity serves as that reference point.

The Goal: Enhancing Humanity Through AI

AI should not erase our cultural and spiritual contexts; instead, it should enrich them. Building these models to engage meaningfully with faith can ensure AI maintains its humanity as it becomes more powerful.

Thus, the pressing question isn't whether AI will influence the next generation—it's whether we will harness it to guide them wisely.

Conclusion

As we navigate this new frontier, understanding the moral implications of our technological tools is not just important; it's imperative. The conversation must continue. Are we ready to confront the underlying deficits in our artificial intelligences? The answer must shape the world we wish to see.