D017 Support Regulations on Generative Artificial Intelligence
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers to create original content, such as images or text, resembling human-produced output. AI uses models or algorithms trained on large sets of existing data, text, and images to understand and mimic patterns in that data. While there are many algorithms that are already integrated into our daily lives (such as autocorrect, email spam filters, and recommendation engines), generative AI is a significant step forward in the capability and reach of technology. Generative AI has particularly become more widespread over the past few years with the release of new tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL-E, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot. This is a rapidly changing part of the technology landscape, the impacts of which we are just beginning to see.
Generative AI has the potential to disrupt many aspects of our lives, but also has great potential to extend human creativity and efficiency. These tools create content based on the data they are trained on and the prompts they are given - they can reflect and extend either the best or the worst of humanity. Regulations can curb the worst effects of generative AI and mitigate harm to the most vulnerable and to society as a whole, while allowing opportunities for positive, life-affirming use of this new technology to continue.
The Episcopal Church needs to speak about generative AI because our baptismal covenant calls us to respect the dignity of every human being. By changing how creative work is done, and how we identify something is real, generative AI is damaging our human-to-human relationships. Generative AI sows a seed of doubt in everything we see online, fostering disengagement from civil society and institutions such as the church. The landscape of AI has radically changed in the past two years, and will likely be radically different by the 82nd General Convention. We have a duty to be engaged now, as these ethical and moral questions are debated.
Explanation
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers to create original content, such as images or text, resembling human-produced output. AI uses models or algorithms trained on large sets of existing data, text, and images to understand and mimic patterns in that data. While there are many algorithms that are already integrated into our daily lives (such as autocorrect, email spam filters, and recommendation engines), generative AI is a significant step forward in the capability and reach of technology. Generative AI has particularly become more widespread over the past few years with the release of new tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL-E, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot. This is a rapidly changing part of the technology landscape, the impacts of which we are just beginning to see.
Generative AI has the potential to disrupt many aspects of our lives, but also has great potential to extend human creativity and efficiency. These tools create content based on the data they are trained on and the prompts they are given - they can reflect and extend either the best or the worst of humanity. Regulations can curb the worst effects of generative AI and mitigate harm to the most vulnerable and to society as a whole, while allowing opportunities for positive, life-affirming use of this new technology to continue.
The Episcopal Church needs to speak about generative AI because our baptismal covenant calls us to respect the dignity of every human being. By changing how creative work is done, and how we identify something is real, generative AI is damaging our human-to-human relationships. Generative AI sows a seed of doubt in everything we see online, fostering disengagement from civil society and institutions such as the church. The landscape of AI has radically changed in the past two years, and will likely be radically different by the 82nd General Convention. We have a duty to be engaged now, as these ethical and moral questions are debated.