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AI Theology Goes to New Mexico: Of Petroglyphs and Atomic Bombs

Six years ago, my dad and I set on a cross-country road trip from North Carolina to California. No, this was not a vacation but my way to move our stuff to Pasadena. We rented a Penske truck, towed one of our cars, had the dogs with us and drove across the country while my wife flew with the kids to LA. In the third day or our trip, we reached New Mexico in the morning and I was struck by its natural beauty. Blue skies, dry heat and beautiful arid vegetation invited me in. It was then I decided I had to come back for a visit one day. A month ago, I made that happen organizing a 40 year-old birthday trip with my unsuspecting brother. Unlike the first time, I was determined to spend 5 days exploring its natural beauties and its rich multi-cultural history.

Soon it became clear the trip offered many opportunities for reflection and writing. The themes of technology, culture, nature and humanity popped up all throughout which led me to this series of blogs. Reflecting on compelling experiences often ends up as blog material. Here is my first installment reflecting on this epic trip.

Ancient Writings

In our first full day in Albuquerque, we decided to visit the Petroglyphs National Monument. This national park offered not only an opportunity to hike in the beautiful New Mexico landscape but also a way to connect with pre-Columbus American history. The canyons boasted a rich array of petroglyphs (artistic carvings on rocks) that were between 400 to 700 years old. Centuries of erosion and exposure to the elements was not enough to erase these early manifestations of human creativity.

A small sample of the many petroglyphs found in the park.

The carvings ranged from people, animals to abstract symbols. Some were faint while others were very clear. From the information provided in the park, no one knows for sure why these carvings were made. They were made both by Native American and early Spanish settlers and represent the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the region.

To think that their imprints have persevered in the rocks for centuries is mind-boggling. I wonder about what I could do today that would remain intact for even 50 years! With all our technology and tools at our disposals, are we still capable of leaving a noticeable imprint in nature that could last centuries? It also made me wonder what inspired them to carve. Was it religious, artistic or did it serve another purpose? Some sampling of the thoughts that went through my mind as we battled 90 degree sun in our heads to walk through the trails and climb up the rocks.

The Cloud that Changed the World

As the clock reached noon, it was time to find an AC respite from the sun. I didn’t want to acquire burns from exposure and ruin the rest of the trip. After a short but restful lunch it was time to go to the next destination. Knowing that the heat made anything outside unbearable we opted for going to a museum. From Breaking Bad scenes and previous research I knew that Albuquerque housed the Museum of Nuclear Science and History. A fitting geographical location as Los Alamos, a few miles up north, was the testing ground for the Manhattan Project.

Museum of Nuclear Science and History is one of the few national museums outside of DC. It boasts an impressive collection of artifacts tracing the history of the development of Nuclear technology. A lot of it centers on the development of the nuclear bomb that not only ended World War II but also changed our relationships with technology permanently.

Re-visiting this complex history evokes a range of mixed emotions. On the one side there is a sense of awe and admiration. It is mind-boggling to comprehend the effort, coordination, resources, secrecy that it took for the Manhattan project to succeed. Similar to the moon landing effort decades later, this is another testament to this nation’s ability to take on monumental tasks. Yet, all of this dissipates when we consider the horrifying destruction left by the nuclear bomb.

From a military strategic perspective, the bomb was meant to actually save lives. Given dogged Japanese resistance, the Allied forces anticipated that only a long and bloody invasion would bring the war to a conclusion. Some estimates put the cost of lives in the millions for both sides. The solution, in their view, was to deliver a humiliating and devastating blow that would convince the Japanese emperor to re-think his resistance. Two bombs, and close to 150,000 lives decimated later, their strategy worked. Yet, the cost would far surpass the direct casualties from the bomb.

In the section portraying the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki I was struck by a harrowing reminder. Of all the pictures shown, the image of an incinerated kid’s tricycle shocked me. I thought of my own children and the pain it would be to have their lives cut short in such a tender age. Yes, the project was a tremendous feat but it was also a destructive curse. In spite of its justification, the bomb crossed an unprecedented line for humanity.

The advent of the atomic age removed a sense a security from all of us. It is as if we realized we now had the power to annihilate all human life in a matter of seconds. This fear transcended national, ethnical and racial loyalties. This new discovery threatened all life in the planet.

In the exposition we learned that scientists working on the project made a final plea for an alternative option. Instead of dropping it in a city, they begged the military to run a demonstration of the bomb’s power in an unpopulated area as a final warning to the Japanese. Military leaders disagreed and convinced the president that the war effort needed a more forceful action than a demonstration. Let history be the judge of their ultimate decision.

Technological Blessing and Curse

The loss of innocence that came with the atomic experience reverberated in many levels. Till this day, the mushroom cloud symbolizes the destructive side of technology. Yet, even seventy years later, another nuclear bomb has not been deployed in an armed conflict. While a few nations continue to pursue it as a way to shore up their position in the geopolitical theater, thankfully, no deadly detonations have followed. Paradoxically, the horror of the first bombing led to restraint and possibly kept a cold war between two super powers from becoming hot in the 20th century.

How can we use the legacy of the nuclear bomb as a way to re-think our relationship with technology? On the one hand, it reminds us that the development of any technology should never be divorced from rigorous ethical deliberation. One could say that the nature of a global conflict like World War II did not lend itself to such activity. That may be so, but I do wonder how different history would have been have the President listened to the scientists’ plea for a demonstration. Would the threat of grave destruction be enough or was the actual deployment necessary?

On the other hand, harnessing energy out of atoms was a major scientific break through. In an age where we worry about global warming, nuclear energy continues to be a rather clean way to produce electricity. I wonder whether we would be more open to building nuclear plants had it not been tainted by its association with the bomb. That is, sometimes because of fear we may lose opportunities to harness technology for the good.

As we enter in an age where AI is now becoming a deciding factor in our future, I hope we listen to the lessons from the history of nuclear science. Let us approach it with rigorous ethical reflection but also aware of our blinding fears. While the first is essential the latter can greatly reduce the opportunity for flourishing. And that, in itself, would be a great loss.

Cielo: Learning to Look up to the Sky Again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3962T4ZZyUI

Sitting on a long flight from Atlanta to San Francisco and after exhausting my reading options, I browsed the screen for a movie. This was a 4.5 hours flight and the range of choices was wide. Eventually I settled on a 80 minute documentary Cielo about the sky in the Atacama desert in Chile. The image below and the premise of being a “love poem” to the sky intrigued me enough to pick it among a myriad of options. I was ready for some calm contemplation in the beginning of what I expected to be an intense work week in San Francisco. The film turned out to be cinematographic feast for the eye. Ironically, as I traversed the sky, I was also learning to marvel at it from a different vantage point.

Desert-Sky Connection

I have had a long lasting fascination for deserts. Ever since my first visit to California in 2008, I have been drawn to these arid landscapes. There is something inviting in their barren and rugged terrain. Almost like an invitation to search for its hidden beauty not as easily accessible as in places like the beach or a forest. It is also an invitation to interiority, hence why spiritual seekers for ages have found wisdom and meaning in these desolate places.

Even so, my first question when the film started was “why a film about the sky in the desert?” We often associate desert with desolate, hot, lifeless places. While this is true, deserts also have an abundance of clear skies and dry air making it greatly suitable for observatories. Furthermore, because deserts tend to repel rather than attract human settlements, this means less artificial light or radio interference to impair night sky viewing.

This desert, more specifically, had an even more direct connection to the sky. It turns out that that the Atacama desert is now being used to research how life could happen in Mars. Some of its dry areas look other-worldly, a remnant from another planet. Whether throught its sky or through its soil, the Atacama opens a gateway other worlds.

With all its beauty, the desert was only a supporting actor on the film. The main character was the sky. The documentary illustrated this well through sped-up views of the sky where you could see it move slowly. The overall visual effect was mesmerizing. It was both soothing and reassuring, putting me at ease against any flight jitter. The documentary would be incomplete without letting the viewer see the sky from the desert. While only a representation of the real experience, it was enough to express its beauty.

Diverse Points of Views

The film did a good job in showcasing a wide-range of perspectives on the sky as they are experienced by those who live in the Atacama. In one of the scenes, they interview a couple of algae collectors who offered a pristine view of the beauty of sky. On another part, Jorge Rojas a young algae collector told personal stories of supernatural apparitions in the desert at night. These views were contrasted by those of the Astrophysicists that work in the area. Nestor Espinoza, a planet hunter, shared on camera a song he had written inspired by his countless hours in the observatory.

In one of the most striking scenes of documentary, Roberto Garcia, a native storyteller dances in the desert as the sunsets expressing his people’s long-lasting relationship with the desert and its glorious sky. Later you see him telling ancient stories to a group of children, passing on to the next generation the wisdom of those who came before him.

The overall message is how the desert sky becomes an invitation to all, from the scientist to the day laborer. Whether it is dancing or analyzing a screen of the computer, the sky is an inexhaustible source of wonder, mysterious and awe-inspiring, regardless of personal background. It also reveals the myriad ways to respond to the sky’s invitation. Whether it is through careful painstaking analysis, artistic forms like dance or music or even as a source for meaning. These are just a few human ways to respond to the allure of the stars.

Undeniable Spiritual Connection

While the film featured native spirituality, one of the most poignant statements came from one of the Scientists. Astrophysicist Mercedes Lopez-Morales, reflected upon her experience working in the observatory and spending hours watching the sky. As she is re-telling her musings, she stops to express the sense of human frailty in a vast and old universe. In a age where we are so obsessed with ourselves, it is refreshing to be reminded of our smallness in contrast to deep space.

Beyond that, listening to Morales’ musings, I reflected on technology. While it is true that the Atacama is place of raw beauty away from civilization, it was interesting how technology could also be an ally in uncovering spiritual meaning. If it wasn’t for the advanced instruments the astrophysicists has at her disposal, she may not have arrived at those conclusions. The issue is not a nature versus technology conundrum but how to bring them together with a receptive perspective.

It reminds me of the Biblical saying of “those who have eyes to see let them see.” A receptive perspective is all it takes to find spiritual connection in God saturated world. A spiritual connection is available to all regardless of educational or cultural background and even religious belief.

An Invitation to Look up

Can we learn to look up or are destined to look down? My own journey recently has taken a surprising turn. While reflecting on theology, technology and humanity, I am finding myself more drawn towards space. It is not an explicit association at first but the more I think about, the more it makes sense. The movement goes from distraction to self-awareness, then from self-awareness to exteriority. In a noisy word, the first movement is when we take time to be quiet, put down our screens and move inwardly. There we are forced to face our fears, questions, doubts and anxieties.

Thankfully, the journey does not ends there. If all I did was learning to become more self-aware, this would be a gigantic exercise in self-centeredness. We would become an amalgamation of atomic beings too occupied with ourselves to care about what or who is around us. That is when the journey needs to lead to exteriority, to a place outside ourselves. This outward movement unveils our connection to other humans, to nature and eventually to the universe.

Christian theology should helps us re-connect with the sky again. In my native tongue of Portuguese, there is no difference between the words “sky” and “heaven.” Maybe there is profound a connection there in this word association. The notion of a supernatural heaven separate from the physical outer space has been overstated. Maybe instead of closing our eyes to pray, we should learn to pray with our eyes wide-open and our heads turned up to the sky.

Let sky be the catalyst that leads us to fall in love with this world again.

AI Evolution: How Wakanda’s Golden City Inspires Innovation

Have you ever imagined a place where technology and nature work in harmony for the flourishing of life? Somebody did. In a blog last year, I explored how the Black Panther represented a Decolonial African futurist vision. Today, inspired on a recent podcast I heard, I want to write about how this vision worked itself out in Wakanda’s Golden City.

Before, diving into Wakanda, let me first put a plug for the Technopolis Podcast from Citylab. It is on my short list of subscribed podcasts for a reason. It explores the intersection of technology in city planning in a thought provoking way. I recommend it to anyone looking for some meaty conversations on the topic.

Designing a Futuristic City

The Podcast recently had Hannah Beachler as a guest to discuss the work she did as a the production designer for the Black Panther movie. More specifically, she was there to discuss the meticulous work that went into designing, building and filming the Golden City – Wakanda’s capital. Just so you have an idea, Hanna put together a 500 page book for the production plan! As she described to the hosts, Hanna put in many hours studying, researching and speaking to experts in urban planning and sustainability.

Though this was mostly a background to the feature film, the production team asked serious design questions such as “How do people move in the city?”; “How can it incorporate technology while also respecting nature?”; “How can it portray the best of African culture from the present?” These poignant inquiries guided the creative process that led to a visual feast for the movie watcher.

The author sought inspiration from architecture, culture and futuristic thinking. Part of the challenge was creating a futuristic vision that happens in the present day. That is, the innovations showcased had to be recognizable and believable in what is available to us today since the story takes place in the present.

For example, one of the discussions were around having self-driving cars. In that debate, the importance of the bus driver in both African and African-American culture won out over techno-centric futuristic view. This kind of design thinking permeated throughout. Instead of flyinng cars, the Golden city had buses and trains. Instead of concrete jungle, the city had dirt roads with vegetation.

The vision was to portray technology not as an end in itself but as a complement to nature in service of people. Instead of destroy and replace mentality that often dominates city planning, the designer opted for how can existing structures evolve. Such direction balanced reverence for nature and tradition while also fostering ground-breaking innovations. For example, one of the sidewalks in the city harnessed foot traffic to power buildings. I would love to have one of those in my neighborhood!

From Creative Destruction to Evolution

The idea of evolving rather than replacing was a key insight from the conversation, especially as it relates to technology. One of the downsides of current technological innovation is its tendency to impose pre-conceived conditions for its flourishing. This is not limited to buildings but manifests itself especially in the many devices that currently proliferate globally.

For example, most electronics are built to be used in climatized rooms. Only now, with the emergence of smart phones and light laptops, this paradigm started to break. I rarely thought about this until I visited Brazil in May. Unlike here where all buildings are closed off, climatized enclosures, buildings in Brazil often lack AC or heat. Instead they keep its windows open 24/7. Hence, when I went to visit the IT team of the town’s university, I noticed they had to be enclosed in a special room with no windows that had AC running around the clock. In order to accommodate computers need for refrigeration, existing structures had to be completely retrofitted greatly increasing the cost and accessibility of computers in the town.

The idea of a technology that evolves challenges this pre-conceived notion. It starts by looking at what is currently available and then seeks to improve it for the flourishing of life. While respecting the environment, it also rejects luddite notions that all technology is destructive to nature. Instead it believes that technology can emerge from nature.

The picture that encapsulates this well is the idea of hover buses on top of dirt roads as portrayed in the golden city. You have a high-tech form of mobility moving across natural paths that can absorb water, grow beautiful vegetation while still serving as roads. This is a great example for a vision of life-affirming, environmentally conscious and cultural sensitive technology. A futuristic vision we can all adopt for our time.

Lessons from Wakanda for AI

As I reflect on this podcast, I consider ways in which AI can enable such evolution mentality when building innovation. One of the greatest strengths of AI system is its ability to learn from data. As our capability to capture, aggregate and process data improves with the advent of IOT (Internet of Things), AI systems can be a key tool in the planning for the future of cities, communities and even whole regions.

Yet, the idea that AI systems as a silver bullet is rather false. That is, simply learning from data is not enough. For an evolution vision to take hold, what you need are visionary humans who can point these AI systems towards new paradigms. They need to guide the process of data collection, processing and learning. They should also steward well the optimization functions towards life-flourishing goals.

Hence, the main lesson Wakanda offers is not technological per say but cultural. Black Panther illustrates the power of culturally-informed futuristic dreaming. When a historically ostracized people group decides to dream an alternative future without forgetting its past, a beautiful result can emerge. In being faithful to their own culture, they offer a lesson to all cultures. The main point is not the technology but whose vision it reflects.

This only reinforces the need for further democratizing technical knowledge. Developing technology cannot remain the job of a select few but belongs to all humanity. As we work to remove the barriers of entry we also foster innovation by bringing new voices to the table. May the Golden City be the first of many examples of a life-affirming, culturally sensitive, environmentally enhancing technological dream.

AI Theology goes to the Space Center in Huntsville, AL

Over a week ago, we celebrated 50 years since humanity first stepped in the moon. To celebrate this monumental achievement of the moon landing and also to spark interest in the sciences in my children, we took a road trip with some friends to Alabama. There we visited the Space Center where they originally built rockets for NASA. The center currently houses an authentic Saturn V rockets that launched the Apollo program astronauts to the moon.

That’s my over-enthusiastic selfie taken in front of the Saturn V rocket. The Rocket was so massive that it was really hard to capture in one picture.

Before sharing my reflections, let me first put a plug for this place. As a parent of young children, the visit was a success at all counts. My kids were engaged, entertained and educated all at once. The place surpassed my expectations while also being relatively affordable ($25 adults/ $14 child for admission. There is an additional cost for movies and the planetarium). The combination of amusement park rides, educational expositions, VR attractions and planetarium made it for a rich and entertaining experience. Can you see that excitement in my face? That was real.

Sophia and Anna, aspiring astronauts, hanging out at the capsule simulator

The visit was a trip on history lane, back to the twentieth century when the United States competed and won the space race against the USSR. While the backdrop of the Cold War loomed large, the story of the space race transcends nationalistic sentiments. At the center of it, it is a celebration of how 400,000 people worked together for a few decades to put a person in the moon and bring them back safely. As we just celebrated 50 years since the Apollo mission moon landing, its story reminds us of the potential of humanity when working together towards a common goal.

Levi and his proud dad riding the lunar rover

A Herculean Effort

We often forget the amount of effort, preparation, risk and courage it took to pull this off. In the center, we get to see the real size of the Saturn rocket, the same model that took astronauts to the moon. The three stage rocket is simply massive. The majority of its body is simply there to carry fuel so that the small capsule on top of it can overcome the extraordinary power of Earth’s gravitational force.

It was also striking to learn about the onboard computer that navigated the rocket. It was state-of-the are technology even if its memory and processing power is only a fraction of today’s smartphones. Somehow, even with those constraints, they were able to develop a navigational system that could not only steer the rocket to its destination but also greatly aid the astronauts at the crucial moment of landing in the moon.

The moon landing story reminded me of a time where technology’s aims were more noble and more daring than today’s. It is ironic that 50 years later, with all the advances we have made, nothing still compares to the feat of leaving Earth’s atmosphere. While it is encouraging to learn about the recent efforts on commercial space flight and the budding space programs of emerging powers like China and India, nothing really compares to the tremendous advance the Apollo program accomplished in the 60’s.

The competitiveness of the Cold War has long been replaced by the international cooperation of the last decades. The International Space Station testifies that space exploration is no longer the job for a nation alone but one that belongs to humanity. Even so, the challenges to deep space travel and Mars colonization loom large in the horizon. It will take multiple moon-shot style efforts for us to get there.

A Crisis of Imagination?

While finance, logistical and natural challenges persist, I wonder whether the biggest hurdle is the lack of interest. Space exploration no longer holds the imagination of our generation. We are too preoccupied with the latest absurd tweets staring down at our phones that we forgot to look up to the sky. What would be for us to dream of space exploration again?

I’ve been recently digging into Teilhard de Chardin’s theological writings. If it could be summarized in one statement it would be: faith in God and faith in the world. Today, both faiths are challenged. We not only wonder about a transcendent God but also whether we can live on to perpetuate our kind. Can we take care of this earth or are we destined to see it squandered by our greed? Can we learn to love each other or will we always be susceptible to the smallness of nationalistic and racial projects? Can we develop technology that foster the flourishing of life on this planet and beyond or is it all a game to perpetuate wealth accumulation?

Above all, I leave the Space center yearning to believe in humanity again. For if we are able to fly to the moon why can we not do amazing things here on Earth?

AI Theology Goes to Brazil Part 4 – Postmodernity and AI

In part 3, I described my learning experience with holistic ministry in Brazil after meeting with local pastors in Caratinga. In this blog, closing the series on my Brazil trip, I describe in more detail the last talk I gave in the university. Unlike previous talks, this time I was there more to listen than to speak. The event consisted of a panel discussion entitled: “AI and Postmodernity.” The plan was for me to give a 15 minute introduction and then pass on the discussion to a panel of professors.

With such a loaded title, I struggled to develop a suitable introduction. Postmodernity is such a broad term which does not lend itself to simple definitions. Moreover, it is not something usually discussed alongside a technology. The task before me was to elucidate points of correlation that would spark fruitful conversation. The preparation forced me to think deeper about some assumptions inherent in AI technology. After some careful thought, I came up with the following:

All problems have a technological solution
Nature (including humanity) is an algorithm that needs to be decoded
Data reveals the truth and shows the way to solutions
Every activity can and should be optimized

The more I reflect on these, the more I see them informing the development of Artificial Intelligence. Without these assumptions in place, I don’t see AI attracting the attention, funding and research needed to develop further. This is only happening because business leaders, politicians and investors have bought into these claims.

For Postmodernity, I framed the topic around four key implications that I found to be relevant for the panel discussion. They were the following:

The acceptance and celebration of diversity
Skepticism towards institutions or any power structure
Increase in both nihilism and fatalism
Openness to all narratives especially those coming from the margins

Bring the two together, I formulated four questions to spark the discussion among panel participants. Here were the questions:

What is the socio-cultural dominant narrative in Caratinga?
How can AI empower groups in the margins?
How can AI foster human flourishing in the local level?
Could the development of AI be a sign of a return to Modernity?

The panel consisted of professors in engineering, law, computer science, theology and social service. Their answers stayed mostly around themes of ensuring technology is used to enhance not diminish humanity. For example, the Social Service professor expressed the hope that data collection could improve their work with vulnerable populations. The Computer Science professor emphasized the differences between the human brain and AI. The Theology professor talked about the potential of AI for furthering ministry opportunities and addressing income inequality.

When hearing their answers, I sensed a bit of a disconnect on where I expected the discussion to go and where it actually went. While I set up the stage preparing for a more philosophical discussion of AI and postmodernity, the professors mostly avoided such approaches preferring instead to speak of concrete ways they understood that technology could affect their work. The panel ended up being about impact of AI applications rather than how it could change our view of humanity and the world we live in.

This disconnect only highlighted the importance of context. I noticed how my North-American academic context was dominated by deep specialists while the particular academic context I encountered in Brazil was run by generalists. This was not limited to academia but reflected more how the local society worked. People tended to rely on a broader more general level of knowledge rather than simply consulting the specialist for each field at hand.

I realized that such environment made them more receptive to the message of integration that I was proposing. In a place where people tend to rely on generalized knowledge, they already are doing the integration I suggest between faith, science and technology. They may not be doing directly on those topics but are practicing it in other areas.

On the flip side, reliance on a generalized knowledge can hinder more in-depth reflection on a specific topic. So, while I mostly agreed with the professors that technology should not replace humanity, I hoped to hear more nuanced arguments on how that could be the case in their context. I was hoping for new insights of how technology could integrate with their environment to solve deeply entrenched social problems. I was hoping for more layers of “why” and “how” in their answer. With that said, the panel was still fruitful in that it sparked discussion on how technology is impacting diverse segments of society. That in itself is an important step forward.

I left Caratinga deeply impacted by my time there. As the old adage goes, I came here to teach but ended up learning more. In fact, there were times where I wonder whether my talks were even relevant to their context. This was not just personal insecurity, though there was probably some of it , but it came from accepting that the assumptions that I operate under do not necessarily hold here. In many ways, I found a community where technological change was not as voracious as I have witnessed in the US. Even if many of these AI breakthroughs come to pass, they may not necessarily upend the social order there as it will in my own community. This is not to say that they will be immune from it. Just to realize that technology adoption is not as inevitable as we make it to be. The issue is not just whether something is technically possible but whether people will openly adopt it.

From what I saw, smart phones has become a integral part of their lives. Yet, in many other areas, the way they study, work, eat and relate to each other has remained unchanged. That is not a sign of being “backward” but of resistance. Caratinga show that there isn’t only one way to integrate technology into the fabric of a society. This realization led me reflect on how I can live a life, in a techno-dominant society, that is more in tune with my humanity and of those around me. That is the question I take home with me, hoping to not let the lessons I learned here go into oblivion.

AI Theology Goes to Brazil – Part 3: Holistic Mission and Technology

In Part 1 and Part 2, I discussed my two first talks in Brazil. In this blog, I will describe my third talk to a group of local pastors. Expecting to give them some new ideas, I left the meeting with new avenues of reflection. Hoping to teach, I ended up becoming the student.

The talk happened a monthly local pastors’ breakfast. I was elated to learn that they were already meeting regularly to discuss local ministry needs and coordinate actions. It is uncommon to see local religious leaders cooperating on anything. In this case, I could see evidence of joint projects and fruitful dialogue between church leaders in spite of the many different denominations represented.

I gave my opening remarks challenging them to see technology more as an enabler than a threat to their efforts. I spoke of ways in which the churches could participate in furthering the democratization of technology through education, awareness and political involvement. In other words, I wanted them to think of their work beyond the traditional bounds of preaching and Bible teaching. I then opened the floor for questions and comments.

The discussion inevitably steered towards the impact of social media. In that vein, I encouraged them to both model and provide guidance to their communities on healthy ways to use those technologies. I was also surprised to learn about the prevalence of smart phone ownership in Brazil and other areas in the world. There, I learned that there now more smart phones in Brazil than people! Also, one of the pastors, who had recently returned from India, spoke of village that lacked indoor plumbing and electricity but where people could still connect to a common solar panel to charge their phones! This discussion only confirmed my belief that technology, now more than ever, can be an enabler for human development.

I was also glad to hear about local efforts to improve computer literacy in poor areas of the city. Pr Marco Antonio dos Santos, a Methodist pastor and seminary coordinator told me about his church’s community center. It offered classes in music, homework tutoring and computers. I was so impressed that I asked to visit the center the next day. The two story building reflected already the vision I was proposing to pastors. It hosted a community center in the first floor open in the weekdays and a church sanctuary in the second floor for the weekend services. The building was located in a poor neighborhood of the city. In my short visit, I downloaded Scratch software to enable them to start teaching code to the children.

What would happen if more pastors had a holistic approach to ministry like Sombra e Agua Fresca (community center’s name which means “shade and fresh water”)? I left my visit convinced that, even with all its shortcomings, churches continue to be a tremendous force for good in the world. For those interested in learning more, click here. The site is all in Portuguese but it gives you a good idea of the diverse work this church is doing in the city.

Reflecting on what I learned, it brought me back to my time at Fuller where I learned about Holistic Mission. While many have heard about Latin American liberation theology, few know about the evangelical variant theology called missao integral. This theology and ministry philosophy transcended the traditional North-American divide between evangelism and social action. Instead of taking sides in this useless binary discussion, Christian leaders in Latin American decided it was about “both and”. That is, Christian mission should always happen in a context of social action. There is no point in sharing the gospel to the hungry without feeding them first. Also, there is no point in building charities that never empower the poor to break out of their cycle of poverty. Pastor Marco Antonio’s work is a vivid example of this theology. On weekdays, the center fleshes out what is preached on Sunday upstairs. This way, the church runs a holistic mission in a place of tremendous need.

It is unfortunate how in the US, mainline churches will focus on social action while evangelical churches focus more on evangelism. Of course, there are a lot of exceptions but that tends to be the case for the most part. Maybe this is where we can learn from the Latin American church. As this relates to technology, Holistic Mission means teaching the poor to code while sharing the gospel with them. These two go hand in hand.

What if more churches had computer labs in their buildings?

AI Theology Goes to Brazil – Part 2: Pure Energy

In the previous blog, I described my first talk in Caratinga where I addressed how to transmit our faith to our kids in a technological era. It was a good way to break into the series of talks that followed.

The following day, I delivered a talk in the evening to a wider audience of students, professors and admnistrators of the university. After being introduced, I walked up to the stage with with sunglasses doing a robotic walk, to Information Society’s “What’s on Your Mind”. (Yes, I went there! For those old enough, who can forget Leonard Nimoy’s voice saying “Pure Energy” in the intro – it’s a classic. Also, I do remember that being a big hit in Brazil. What happened to all the great music of the 80’s and 90’s? That’s a topic for another blog.) For an introvert like me, that was a tremendous risk and one that that could have gone badly. Thankfully, the audience was gracious with my clumsy attempt waiting to hear what I had to share.

After outlining a short introduction to what Artificial Intelligence is I then moved on to examples of how it is changing relationships, jobs and religion. I wanted to audience distinguish between general and narrow AI and also the difference between replacement and augmentation. On relationships, I talked about the promises of algorithmic match making and shared the example of the virtual wife hologram, now available in Japan. For jobs, I talked about how many job functions would be affected noting that it would come not as in total replacement but in automating tasks. For fun, I shared the story of the robot run hotel in Japan where robots ended up being fired for annoying customers! In other words, AI changes would be more complex than what is portrayed in science fiction.

Finally, on religion, I shared a blessing from Robot Pastor with the audience. First, I assured seminarians that robot competition was not an issue for them. Instead, I encouraged those training for the ministry to view technology not as a threat but an ally to their efforts. Historically, religious leaders have often displayed knee-jerk resistance to new technologies. Could we react differently this time? I also mentioned how AI could amplify their efforts in counseling parishioners or even just getting their message out.

That’s me with sunglasses getting ready to speak.

The main message of the talk was that narrow AI was coming to change our lives, how would we respond? I encouraged the audience to replace fear with courage, engaging AI with a broader view that seized on opportunities while monitoring risks. On the latter, I mentioned the perils of using face recognition for policing and how such uses required a broader democratic discussion from the civil society. Interestingly enough, after my talk, a local lawyer told me of a recent effort to coordinate camera footage from many areas in the town for law enforcement. I was not speaking of a distant future but of the here and now.

The question and answer time proved very thought provoking. The students asked insightful questions. One that impressed me was how far computers were from approaching the human brain capacity. Others asked more directly about how AI would hinder belief in God and religious adherence. In my view, the questions demonstrated some critical thinking and deep intellectual engagement with the topic. That is, the students were awake and listening. That is not always the case in events like these where they are required to go for class credit.

Maybe “pure energy” and a robotic walk was all it took to hook them in. Maybe not. Either way, my hope was to spark conversation on the topic. Judging by their questions, the dialogue had begun. In the 21st century, we are now all “Information Societies.”

AI Theology In Brazil – Part 1: A Personal Address

That’s me getting ready to kick the soccer ball with my dad.

How do I encapsulate 2 intense weeks in a short summary? How can I do so by providing enough detail to take the reader with me but also without making this a long drawn-out memoir? Hard task but one worth engaging in. In the previous blog, I gave my overall reflections on Brazil but did not go much in detail on what happened in my time there. This is what I will attempt to do in the following series of blogs. Here is the first installment.

First, it is important to disclose how this trip came about. For those who do not know me, I was born in Brazil and lived there until I was 15. My parents and my sister still live there. Since I had not been there since 2015, I thought it was about time to go back even if I could not bring my whole family with me. As I discussed my visit with my dad, he suggested I give some talks on Artificial Intelligence to the seminary and university he is involved in. It is a growing institution, founded by my grandfather, situated in a small town in Brazil’s interior. Because my visit, they organized a theology forum on the topic of Artificial Intelligence which consisted of 4 events:

Sunday School in a Presbiterian church entitled: “How to transmit our faith to our kids in a technological age”
A lecture open to the public in the university entitled “How Artificial Intelligence is changing relationships, professions and religion”
A talk with a group of pastors in the city entitled “Artificial Intelligence: How do we receive it and use it in our communities”
An open debate with professors in the University about “Artificial Intelligence and Post-Modernity.”

Phew, clearly this vacation turned out to be quite some work but very gratifying. Since I had little time to prepare prior to flying to Brazil, I spent a my first few days there gathering material for the talks and discussing the topic with friends and family. I had a lot to say on the topic but I wanted to contextualize it to the local reality. Attitudes and beliefs toward technology can vary widely depending on the context.

For example, it was illuminating to learn that while most of my audience did not have a computer at home, almost all of them had smart phones. Most were not familiar with terms like “machine learning” or “data science” but could see that in action when they typed a letter to send a text to a friend. I also learned that Whatsapp was the application of choice even more used than email in some cases. To my surprise, the town had Uber service even as they still had newstands in their main square. Wifi was widely available as well as small mom and pop stores that I visited while I was a kid. No Amazon and Wall-Mart nearby leaving most of commerce to local businesses. I witnessed The old and new living side-by-side in an interesting mixture. I learned of people who harvested coffee in the morning but looked up answers in google at night to help their kids to do homework.

How then should I speak of a disruptive technology in an environment where technological change was so uneven? It was important to keep my assumptions in check.

The first talk in the church inaugurated my time in Caratinga on a personal note. I was there in the church my parents married and also the one where my grandparents and some uncles had been buried. I was there to speak first as a father and husband, not as a data scientist. I started by using an analogy. I showed them first on a screen a typewriter and then a 3-D printer. While most were familiar with the first, few could recognize the latter. There lied the challenge of sharing our faith with our kids. It felt as if we were teaching faith like typewriting in a world of 3-D printers. That is, our teaching carried assumptions from bygone era, failing to address the needs, fears and questions of our time. That did not mean we had to use more technological means for sharing our faith, but it required different approaches.

I shared from my heart that in a world of noise and fast technological change, it is crucial we teach our kids the gift of silence. Furthermore, in a world of multiplying screens, nothing speak louder than a loving gaze, a warm embrace and words of affirmation. Only when we practice those, can we even begin to transmit our faith to the next generation. If our faith reflects a God of love, the best way to introduce God is through loving action.

I believe this applies not just to a small town in the interior of Brazil but it is indeed a message of global relevance. In a world of instant digital connections, physically visiting different places still matters . The learning I got being there for two weeks could not be assimilated through reading or VR. If anything, physical presence will only become more impactful than before.

Therefore, let’s cherish every chance we get to see, touch and embrace our loved ones.

AI Theology Goes to Brazil: Initial Reflections on my trip

Contemplating Bom Será Falls in Caratinga, MG Brazil / Contemplando a cachoeira do Bom Será em Caratinga, MG

The way there was long! It took more than 28 hours in all, one sleepless night on the plane, two connections and hundreds of curves on winding roads until I reached my parents’ home. All the effort was worth it! The sound of the waterfall, the cozy house and the my parents’s warmth reminded me that I was returning to a familiar place. Being there allowed me to recuperate and prepare for the marathon of talks scheduled for the following week.

The first days consisted mostly of spending time with a sister and her husband, nephews, uncles and cousins. There is always that initial strangeness when re-connecting with others we have not seen for so long. At first we are reminded that we live in parallel realities of different customs, values and habits. However, there are also memories of joint experiences that show how we are deeply related despite distance and time. Visiting family and old friends often brings a mix of nostalgia, awkwardness, joy and anxiety.

Beyond connecting with family I hoped to witness examples in Brazil that gave me hope. It is very easy to see and focus on what is wrong and what needs to be changed. But I wanted to find reasons to be grateful and proud of our country. I was looking for points of light even in a sea of darkness.

Luckily, this trip did not disappoint. First I was impressed with my meals. Every lunch and dinner was a mixture of local fruits and vegetables and home made products. In an increasingly globalized world, nothing is more precious than local taste. Not only is it healthier as it promotes a greater connection with the land, and what a land!

I had forgotten the beautiful hills of these Minas Gerais. In the car trip, in the sites and even in the cities, you can see spacious pastures, closed forest and spectacular landscapes. The highlight was to contemplate the powerful waterfall of the Bom Será, a paradise found in the middle of a valley surrounded by closed forest. Sitting on its edge, listening to its noise and feeling the steady moist breeze from its waters was a spiritual experience – a multi-sensory reflection of the Creator’s beauty.

Finally, I was impressed with the existing social capital in Caratinga. In a world marked by isolation and loneliness, it is refreshing to visit a place where people talk to each other on the street without ceremony. A place of deep, intertwined relationships for generations. Seeing that was a lesson in humanity and spiritual wealth.

I came to talk about how technology is transforming the world but ended up getting a lesson on how human warmth builds community. While technologies like AI have much to offer to a place like Caratinga, it should not come at the cost of what they have already built there. My prayer is that my visit sparked conversations that can help further strengthen the existing social capital already there.

Later this week, I’ll be publishing a more detailed summary of my time and talks there. For now, I leave you with this picture that only offers a glimpse of the natural beauty of Minas.

Standing with my cousin Felipe in the Bom Será water fall.

Will AI Deliver? 4 Factors That Can Derail the AI Revolution

2019 is well under way and the attention on Artificial Intelligence persists. An AI revolution is already underway (for a very informative deep dive on this topic check this infographic). Businesses are investing heavily in the field and staffing up their data science departments, Governments are releasing AI strategy plans and the media continues to churns out fantastic stories about the possibilities of AI. Beyond that, discussions about ethics and appropriate uses are starting to emerge. Even the Vatican is paying attention. What could go wrong?

If history is any guide, we have been through an AI spring before only to see it fall into an AI winter. In the mid 80’s, the funding dried, government programs were shut down and the attention moved on to other emerging technologies. While we live a different reality, a more globalized and connected world, there is no guarantee that the promise of AI will come to pass.

In this blog, as an industry insider and diligent observer, I describe factors that could derail the AI revolution. In short, here are the things that could turn our AI spring into another bitter winter.

#1: Business Projects Fail to Deliver

Honestly, this is a reality I face everyday at work. As a professional deeply involved in a massive AI project, I am often confronted with the thought: what if it fails? Just like me, hundreds of professionals are currently paving the way for an AI future that promises intelligent processes, better customer service and increased profits. So far, Wall Street has believed the claim that AI can unlock business value. Investors and C-level executives have poured in money to staff up, upgrade systems and many time re-configure organizations to usher in an AI revolution in their business.

What is rarely talked about is the enormous challenges project teams face to transform these AI promises into reality. Most organizations are simply not ready for these changes. Furthermore, as the public becomes more aware of privacy breaches, the pressure to be innovative while also addressing ethical concerns is daunting. Even as those are resolved, there is the challenge of buy-in from internal lines of business who can perceive these solutions as an existential threat.

The significant technical, political and operational challenges of innovation all conspire to undermine or dilute the benefits promised by the AI revolution. Wall Street may be buying into the promise now but their patience is short. If AI projects fail to deliver concrete results in a timely manner, investment could dry up and progress in this area could be significantly halted. If it fails in the private sector, I can easily see this cascading into the public sector as well.

#2: Consumers Reject AI-enabled Solutions

Now let’s say the many AI projects happening across industries are technical and organizational successes. Let’s say they translate into compelling products and services that are then offered to consumers all over the globe. What if not enough of them adopt these new products or services? Just think about the Segway that was going to revolutionize mobility years ago but never really took off as a mass product. Adoption always carries the risk inherent in the unpredictable human factor.

Furthermore, accidents and business scandals can have a compounding effect on the public opinion of these products. One cannot deny that the driverless car pedestrian fatality last year in Arizona is already impacting its development possibly delaying launches by months if not years. Concerns with privacy threaten to erode the public’s confidence on business usage of data which could in turn further hamper AI innovation.

Technology is advancing at neck-breaking speed. Can humans keep up and even more importantly, do they care to? For the techno-capitalist, the human need for devices is endless. They spread this message through clever marketing campaigns. Yet, is everyone really buying it? AI-enabled products and services can only succeed if they are able to demonstrate true value in the eyes of the consumer. Otherwise, even technical marvels are destined to fail.

#3: Governments Restrict AI Innovation Through Regulation

Another factor that could derail the AI revolution is government regulation. It is important to note that not all regulation is harmful for innovation. Yet, ill-devised, politically motivated, reactive regulation often does. This could come from both sides of the political spectrum. Progressive politicians could enact burdensome taxes on the use of AI technology discouraging its development. Conservative could create laws siding with large business interests that choke innovation at the start-up level.

Emerging technologies like AI are currently not front-end center topic in elections. This can be a blessing in disguised as it is probably too early to create regulatory apparatus on these technologies. Yet, that does not mean government should not be involved. Virtuous policy should bring different stakeholders to the table by creating an open process of discussion and learning.

With that said, governments all over the world face the challenge to walk the delicate balance between intervention and neglect. Doing this well is very context-dependent not lending itself to sweeping generalizations. Yet, it must start with engagement. It was shocking to see US lawmakers’s ignorance of social media business models demonstrated in recent hearings. That gives me little hope they would be able to grasp the complexities of AI technologies. Hopefully, a new batch of more tech-savy lawmakers will help.

#4: Nationalism Hampers Global Collaboration

The development of AI thrives on an ecosystem where researchers from different countries can freely share ideas and best practices. A free Internet, a relatively peaceful global order and a willingness to share knowledge have so far ensured the flourishing of research through collaboration. As Nationalist movements rise, this ecosystem is in danger of collapsing.

Another concerning scenario is a a geopolitical AI race for dominance. While this can incentivize individual nations to focus their efforts on research, it can also undermine the spread and enhancing of AI technology applications. A true AI revolution should not be limited to one nation or even one region. Instead, it must benefit the whole planet less it becomes another tool for Colonialism.

On the one hand, regional initiatives like the European Union’s AI strategy are a good start. The ambitious Chinese AI strategy is concerning. The jury is still out on the recently released US strategy. What is missing is an overall vision of global collaboration on the field. This will most likely come from intra-governmental organizations like the UN. Until then, nationalist pursuits in AI will continue to challenge global collaboration.

Conclusion

This is all I could come up, a robust but by no means an exhaustive list of what could go wrong. Can you think of other factors? Above all, the deeper question is, if we these factors derail the AI revolution, would that be necessarily tragic? In some ways, this could delay important discoveries and breakthroughs. However, slowing down AI development may not be necessarily bad as conversations on ethics and public awareness is its beginning stages.

In the history of technology we often overestimate their impact in the short run but underestimate it in the long run. What if the AI ushers no revolution but instead a long process of gradual improvements? Maybe that’s a better scenario than the fast change promised to business investors by ambitious entrepreneurs.