The Age of AI

by Jason Thacker
Zondervan, 2020

Alexa, how is AI changing our world?

We interact with artificial intelligence (“AI”) nearly every moment of the day without knowing it. From our Twitter and Facebook social media feeds, to our online carts, to smart thermostats and Alexa and Google Home, AI is everywhere—and is shaping what it means to be human today.

In The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity, Jason Thacker helps us navigate our digital age by providing a thoughtful exploration of the social, moral, and ethical challenges of our ongoing interactions with artificial intelligence.

The Age of AI serves as a guide for those wary of technology’s impact on our society and also for those who are enthusiastic about where AI is taking us. Thacker explains how AI affects us individually, in our relationships, and in our society at large as he addresses AI’s impact on our bodies, sexuality, work, warfare, economics, medicine, parenting, and privacy.

Endorsements
As more aspects of our economy—and of our daily lives—are automated, we have an increasing burden to question our new technologies. Jason Thacker’s The Age of AI is an excellent introduction for those seeking to understand both these coming changes and the truths about humanity which will not change. This book offers a foundation for future reflection on life in a world inseparable from artificial intelligence, as well as practical tools for navigating your family and community through these choppy waters.
- Ben Sasse, United States senator from Nebraska, author of Them: Why We Hate Each Other and How to Heal
Harnessing technology in our world, especially in education and medicine, can help us live productive and fulfilling lives. Yet Thacker reminds us that we must learn to do so in ways that glorify God and protect the most innocent among us. Great read for parents!
- Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida
This book is a balm for anxiety in the age of technological disruption. No evangelical has thought and written more clearly on these matters than Jason Thacker. In this monumental work, he avoids both naïveté and paranoia about AI. The years ahead will require wise Christians in a time of smart robots. This book shows the way.
- Russell Moore, Public Theologian and Director of the Public Theology Project at Christianity Today
The Lord can use artificial intelligence for good things, which means that we must think seriously—grounded in fidelity to the Scriptures—about important theological questions. This book is an excellent guide for doing just that. . . . I am deeply grateful for what I have learned in reading this book about matters that are of crucial importance for the life of the Christian community.
- Richard Mouw, from the foreword
The rapid advances in technology present Christians in the 21st century with profound ethical and stewardship questions we dare not ignore. In this book, Jason Thacker brings an authentic Christian intelligence to the vexing and high velocity quandaries of artificial intelligence. You need to read this book, intelligently.
- R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
The age of AI is not a Jetsons fantasy of the distant future. It’s here. And whether this new age raises challenging theological questions is not one of if, but when and how. Jason Thacker helps us prepare for this imminent future in The Age of AI.
- Brett McCracken, senior editor, The Gospel Coalition; author of Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community
I recommend The Age of A.I. highly and without reservation. In it, Jason Thacker employs a theological framework—drawing upon the imago Dei and the Great Commandment especially—within which he addresses pressing questions about artificial intelligence as it relates to individuals and families, as well as to the medical, military, and data industries. Thacker’s style is approachable and thus will prove helpful for a broad audience of thoughtful Christians.
- Bruce Riley Ashford, author of The Gospel of Our King, Provost and Professor of Theology & Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Since Guttenberg – technology rightly applied can be powerful for humanity and the church. Today, AI is challenging us to consider carefully how it can be shaped for good for God’s Kingdom and understand its risks. Jason puts all of this into historical and scriptural context for each of us to deepen our insights into this critical topic.
- Pat Gelsinger, CEO VMware, Founder of Transforming Bay for Christ, and Author of Juggling Act
AI is an important subject, not just for computer scientists, but for everyone, with implications for areas ranging from work and family life to medicine and commerce. Finding a thoughtful Christian voice on this topic is rare, and so this timely book is a welcome contribution to the ongoing conversation about the responsible use of AI.
- Derek C. Schuurman, Professor of Computer Science, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
There are some things you don’t know you need until it’s too late. What Jason Thacker has done in this work is proactively prepare you and I for the future—a future where we will need to think clearly and biblically about artificial intelligence. The Age of AI is a book for our time as the use of AI is rapidly advancing. The Age of AI is deeply researched but accessible to the average reader, theologically rich, and filled with wise counsel. I’m grateful for this book.
- Trillia Newbell, author of Sacred Endurance, If God Is For Us, and Fear and Faith
Our culture is worried about issues surrounding AI but often lacks deep insight into how think wisely about this technology. This is because modern culture is disconnected from some underlying and necessary presuppositions — God is real, we are made in His image, and we cannot create as He creates. Jason Thacker offers keen insight into AI, how to think about it, and how to relate to it in a way focused on these truths.
- Erick Erickson, Editor, The Resurgent
As a Christian parent and pastor, trying to live my life faithfully engaged with the surrounding culture, while also leading others, I already feel behind when it comes to many discussions concerning technology and our changing world. I am thankful for someone like Jason Thacker who is skilled in articulating the current state of our digital world and who also is well informed on the future realities and implications headed our way, especially in the realm of AI. We need Christians who can inform the church with a biblical worldview, how to navigate through this digital age that is only going to increase in the days ahead. Not only is Jason informed, he’s at the center of the conversation, exactly where we need Christians to find themselves. While the digital world changes daily, God’s Word never falls behind. I am grateful Jason Thacker is writing with an everlasting truth, in this ever-changing culture.
- Dean Inserra, Lead Pastor of City Church in Tallahassee Florida and author of The Unsaved Christian: Reaching Cultural Christianity with the Gospel
For far too long, evangelicals have found ourselves trailing behind the culture and desperate to keep up. From our current vantage point, we can see that artificial intelligence and emerging technologies will soon confront Christians with various questions we’ve never had to grapple with before. In the Age of AI, Jason Thacker serves as a helpful guide for believers and the church to understand and prepare for the challenges of the future.
- J.D. Greear, Pastor of The Summit Church, 62nd President of the Southern Baptist Convention