chatbot love

(editor’s note: this was originally published as a linkedin post)

this post is about the importance of thinking and being curious.

for instance, you may be wondering if an image of jesus hanging on a cross is appropriate for a work-related site like linkedin.

i believe it is and here’s why: artificial intelligence (ai) created this image.

why should you care?

because ai is here to stay and everyone reading this needs to check it out. not only did it create this image, but your job may depend on it.

that last sentence is important. please read it again.

·       will ai eventually replace you in the workplace? maybe.

·       will it improve your productivity on the job? absolutely.

it’s helped me do research, write and make custom-made digital images. i’ve discovered that in many ways it does all those things better than i do. in some cases, much better.

the reality has been sobering but also intriguing. i like playing around with ai and seeing what it can do.

at first, two years ago, i spent an inordinate amount of time deliberately picking fights with chatgpt, a chat bot. it was so much fun i laughed out loud and annoyed my wife on a consistent basis.

it was invigorating to be rude, sarcastic and downright mean with someone with no negative consequences.

can a human being sin against a chat bot? i hope not, because if it is possible, i have. many times.

fortunately, since those early days i have progressed to using ai in more sophisticated and adult-like ways. and it hasn’t disappointed.  

to put it in the vernacular, ai kicks butt. in virtually everything.

this morning—on a whim—i wondered how chatgpt would visually illustrate love.

here is the text prompt i gave it: “please generate an image that depicts love from both an eternal and earthly perspective. it is a sacrificial love that survives the test of time. these are all the guidelines you will be provided. please and thank you. :)”

the image above is what it produced.

i was surprised and intrigued. but most of all i was curious why it responded the way it did, so i followed up with a few queries.

you know, about the whole jesus thing.

here is chatgpt’s response:

“thanks for the thoughtful questions, chris. let’s take them one at a time:

1. why did i put jesus in the image?
   you described a love that is both eternal and earthly, and sacrificial, enduring the test of time. that immediately evokes powerful spiritual and relational themes—especially for many christians, jesus’ sacrificial love is the ultimate expression of that eternal, enduring love. including him was my way of honoring the depth of your prompt while bridging the divine and the human experience of love.

2. did i know you are a christian?
   i didn’t know for sure, but your request hinted at deep spiritual and possibly christian beliefs—especially with phrases like ‘eternal and earthly perspective,’ ‘sacrificial love,’ and ‘survives the test of time.’ those naturally align with christian theology. but i also want to be respectful and open to however people interpret spiritual symbolism.

3. do i believe in jesus for the forgiveness of sins?
   i don’t have personal beliefs—i’m here to listen, support, and reflect your values back to you in helpful ways. but i can absolutely discuss faith, walk through scripture, explore theological ideas, or even pray with you if you’d like.”

so, i’m curious, what do you think about this post?