What enables a being to create? Generative AI appears to approach human capabilities; is it only a matter of time until it surpasses them? Joanna Ng, formerly the head of research and the director of the Center for Advanced Studies at IBM Canada, knows these questions from the inside.

Joanna is not only a patented inventor and author, but a leader in the integration of Christianity and technology. In this episode, she and Gretchen ask: Why is it important to distinguish between AI and ASI? What does being a Christian 2.0 mean? What is Church? And, who is caring for the Christians in tech?

3:21 In 1956, six researchers from MIT and Carnegie Mellon defined AI as “the construction of computer programs that engage in tasks that are currently more satisfactory performed by humans because of their higher-level mental process.”

4:41 “It's all math. Many scientists and technologists from the field, who know AI, all agree to say AI is not intelligent at all.” 

5:23 AI cannot do causal analysis or elicit emotions. It does not have absolute truth beyond data.

9:20 The goal of ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence) is to surpass the intelligence of humans. Achieving ASI is not a function of time (that is, it will evolve necessarily as technology progresses), but rather a function of nature. It cannot be achieved because the nature of man’s mind, or spirit, cannot be replicated.

14:22 According to Kate Crawford, “the biggest mistake computer scientists ever made was to equate the human mind to machines.”

12:28 Instead of pursuing ASI, there is an opportunity in advancing AI for the benefit of humans.

15:37 Humans can create “because we are made in the image of God, because God is a creative person.”

16:20 Generative AI can create what looks like art, but it lacks the spark of insight, understanding, absolute truth or the ability to think in the first principles.

17:31 AI is best used as a companion to accelerate the creative process of a human being.

18:36 The research-to-business process consists of taking a research outcome and seeing its potential application in the solution to a real world problem.

22:38 Patents “protect the right for commercialization for the first mover.”

25:49 “AI for Me,” a form of augmented cognitive assistance, applies AI to one’s personal data to reduce the cognitive load to what the person cares about.

27:37 The goal of Web 3.0 is to decentralize the internet, fix problems with Web 1.0 and 2.0 and resolve issues of privacy.

34:52 While Being Christian 1.0 consists in depending on oneself, Being Christian 2.0 lets go of the natural realm and allows God to glorify himself through one’s own powerlessness. 

38:33 Jesus did not build the Church as an institution, but as his people.

41:20 The Church’s pastors, the 1%, are called to coach the 99%, who are key players in the front lines of the world.

42:45 The purpose of Joanna’s ministry KOE (Kingdom on Earth) is to “awaken, equip and support” that 99%.

47:06 Book recommendations

Beatrice Institute is supported in part by Henne Jewelers and The Pittsburgh Foundation.