AI and Automation

 A strange, unfamiliar term has recently entered our lexicon. The term is artificial intelligence (AI). How and when did this term first enter our awareness? In 1956 a small group of mathematicians at Dartmouth College held a workshop to focus on the possibility of “thinking machines.” This group is credited with founding the field of artificial intelligence, currently known as AI. Not only is AI an unfamiliar term, but nomenclature related to AI is also unfamiliar to many people. There are many terms related to AI which must be defined and studied in order to understand the benefits and drawbacks of AI.

Acquaintances have joined our personal quest to discover the potentialities of AI. My inquiry took me back to my high school graduation ceremony. I was honored to deliver a student address at my graduation. The topic—Industry—was selected for me by my class adviser. Not only did my adviser assist me in selecting my overall topic but he also suggested I should discuss automation in my address. The term was unfamiliar to me and most of my high school classmates in the mid-20th century. 

Industrialists still practice automation, the technology to perform repetitive tasks without human intervention. The term automation was first used in 1946 by executives in the automotive industry. Automation and AI are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably. AI creates systems able to learn, reason, and make decisions like a human. Even young children use their intelligence to learn from their experience. For example, toddlers learn to walk by observing the effects of gravity on their bodies and making decisions to adjust their muscle movements. The action of children manipulating toys and games is based on their decision-making capabilities. Artificial intelligence, therefore, is not really artificial in the sense that artificial sometimes means “not genuine.” AI is clearly a genuine phenomenon in today’s world.

AI is of genuine concern to many people. When automation became a social issue during the mid-20th century some folks became uneasy. The same is even more true of AI, an exceedingly recent societal phenomenon of the 20th/21st century. It remains to be seen how modern societies ultimately respond to AI, driven as it is by the Information Age in which we are embedded. In particular, cell phones and personal computers affording access to the Internet have proliferated exponentially since 1990. The Information Age commenced at approximately mid-20th century.

Should modern man be fearful of a surfeit of information as members of society living in the Information Age? Our answer,—Yes, and No. We quote from an ACRT Journal article (ACRT stands for AI, Computer Science, and Robotic Technology): “AI is improving the quality of human life, but poses dangers from unintended disastrous and undesirable outcomes if unregulated.” 

There are many beneficial aspects of AI relating to efficiency and productivity. Healthcare practices could benefit from AI. Self-driving cars could supply advantages if we convince traditional drivers of their safety. Most residents have been connected to chat rooms at our banks or businesses. Some folks still must be persuaded that the helpful person who chats with us on the other end of the line is not an actual person.  

We have encountered several undesirable dimensions of AI. The term AI Agent describes a software program which autonomously performs tasks for the user by perceiving their environment, making decisions, and taking actions to achieve specific goals. These are not personal, human goals. They are the goals of the AI Agent! The software could write an “original” essay, or generate a video which pictures human beings who do not actually exist performing tasks which do not actually happen. A recent example is a video of Barron Trump giving a speech. These outcomes could be the result of algorithms capable of producing novel, original content. These outcomes  may be described under the heading of “Generative AI” a term that is largely self-explanatory. Generative AI and machine learning are related concepts.

Intelligence is a gift of The Creator. Likewise, consciousness is God’s gift to advanced forms of living entities. The two concepts are related. We propose that AI mimics the intelligent abilities of humanity. Perceived this way, we propose that bio-scientists inadvertently acknowledge amazing gifts endowed to living beings by The Creator of All Things. 

Our previous post from 2-18-23 deals with similar issues. I recommend readers access this link as an addendum to the current post:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2023/02/artificial-intelligence-or-human.html

   

     

      

  

Earth/Moon System

 Searching through past posts we encounter the term system many times. Examples are body systems such as visual and auditory systems. We have also dealt with wonders of the Solar System. The above-mentioned systems are composed of many sub-systems. Any system or sub-system is defined as “a group of interrelated, interacting components forming a complex entity.” Our physical universe is composed of many complex systems. When we make detailed studies of such systems we reinforce the concept that our universe has many hallmarks of being designed by a divine, intelligent Agent. We observe those hallmarks each day of our lives.

Scientists often describe the characteristics of Earth without reminding us that Earth is intrinsically part of a system—the Earth/Moon System. Our universe contains trillions of lifeless, ordinary planets. No other Solar System planet possesses such a sizable moon in relation to its own size. Planet Earth is special owing to the presence of our large satellite. The presence of our Moon is only one factor making Earth a habitable planet. Most astronomers agree that without the Moon, Earth would not be a habitable planet. Hugh Ross, founder of Reasons to Believe (RTB), produced a volume entitled The Genesis Question in 2001. He discusses (p. 31) how the Moon affects Earth in life-sustaining ways, including crustal iron abundance, tectonics, rotation rate, and vital axis tilt, among other processes. Ross states, “To those who express the desire to see a miracle, we can assure them they are looking at one whenever they gaze up at the Moon.”

There’s general agreement that Planet Earth without its Moon would experience changes in Earth’s climate and other conditions which preclude human life as we know it. Most especially, Earth residents would experience NO seasons. A previous post deals with the effects on humanity of an Earth without seasons. Our message in the post linked below is that Earth without seasons may result in undesirable health outcomes for humanity. In contrast, research has revealed that there are many positive outcomes when people experience seasonal changes. We link a past post:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/10/earth-without-seasons.html

The Bible lists examples of the benefits of seasonal change. Earth’s Moon is responsible for these seasonal changes. The popular scientific hypothesis of a giant impactor, protoplanet Theia, ultimately produced the Moon when it struck Planet Earth eons ago. The Theia impact created Earth’s 23.5 degree axis tilt which is responsible for Earth’s current seasons. Our current Moon stabilizes Earth’s axis tilt. Life-sustaining conditions on Earth result from the season-producing axis tilt of our home planet. 

Most astrophysicists subscribe to the hypothesis of a giant impactor—an example of a divine transformational miracle. God has performed many transformational miracles when He created our life-sustaining Earth/Moon System. Hugh Ross has published his ideas concerning different types of miracles, including the transformational miracle of the giant impactor which produced Earth’s Moon:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/11/our-miracle-immersed-planet.html

Geophysicists have produced lengthy treatises on many Moon related phenomena within our Earth/Moon system. Ocean tides are caused by the force of gravitation between Earth and Moon. Earth’s oceans are gravitationally drawn toward the Moon. The solid Earth is drawn away from Earth’s ocean water on the opposite side of the Earth. Each of the bodies revolves around a barycenter—the center of mass of two or more objects. Over many eons the Moon has been responsible for reducing the speed of rotation of the Earth because of the friction of tidal “bulges” as the planet rotates through them. A slower rotating Earth produces ideal daytime illumination appropriate for agricultural productivity and human comfort. We observe the Creator’s power in the things we perceive within our Earth/Moon System:

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made…(Romans 1:20 ESV)

  

Moon Truth

 Humanity is fascinated by the Moon and moonlight. We may recall observing the Moon as children and detecting the face of “the Man in the Moon” from its surface features. There are many scriptural references to the Moon by Bible authors who were skilled observers. In our day we still observe the wonders of the Moon from a worship and devotional perspective when we read scripture.

Following are a few descriptive scriptures concerning our lunar companion:

Season marker  (Psalm 104:19)

Ruler of the night  (Genesis 1:16)

Thing of beauty  (Song of Solomon 6:10)

Supplier of glory  (I Corinthians 15:41)

Source of order and power  (Jeremiah 31:35 and 32:17)

Praise giver  (Psalm 148:3)

Splendor provider  (Job 31: 26) 

Study of the cited verses reveals their emphasis on careful observation. These passages were composed centuries prior to the development of modern science. This fact does not signal the Bible is unscientific. Good science depends on accurate observational skills. The Bible does not mention planetary and lunar rotation and revolution or the laws of motion. Scripture however, stresses the order and stability of the world of nature as created by God and praises the majesty and complexity of our physical creation. Modern scientific methods were not codified until centuries after the last verses of the Bible were written. We speak of the Scientific Revolution of the 16th/17th century.  

When the Moon revolves around our earth, our only satellite returns to a generally in line configuration with the Earth and the Sun every 29 1/2 days. During that time interval the Moon travels a few degrees more than one complete revolution in order to bring the Moon, Earth, and Sun to another in line configuration with Earth in the middle. The Moon is then on the dark side of the earth. Earth residents now enjoy “the lesser light to rule the night” (Genesis 1:16). When our calendars state that on a certain date full moon occurs, the Moon is fully illuminated as seen from Earth. A few days before or after full moon the Moon is only partially illuminated.

The following links discuss more detail on moon phases and stages, and how our lunar companion affects our planet in other significant ways:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2015/08/moon-musings.html

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2015/07/semicolon-in-sky.html

Scientific discoveries affirm the orderliness of our universe. Jeremiah 33:25 refers to the Creator’s “…covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth…” Our Moon is predictable and orderly in its motions and effects. In a future post we will discuss how Planet Earth would be very different without the Moon as our Solar System companion.  

California Burning

The current California fires are unprecedented. Our prayers are directed to God that He would bestow mercy on the entire state. In commenting about this disaster we desire to be compassionate and respectful notwithstanding cause and effect are top of mind for California residents. Government officials and politicians are inclined to take credit when favorable events occur, but the same officials are vulnerable when events in their jurisdictions deteriorate. People elected to positions of leadership must balance the potential for receiving both honor and dishonor.

In the case of current California fires, commentators have attributed the primary cause to an intense dry spell plaguing the area in the last half of 2024. Los Angeles County received only 0.03” of measured precipitation—less than 1% of the normal rainfall during this time period. A calamitous drought has made vegetation “bone dry.”

The drought has been exacerbated by strong northeast Santa Ana winds. Air over high elevations to the east is funneled to sea level through river valleys. This compresses the air producing higher temperatures and very low humidity. Fires are intensified by extremely low humidity and winds which dry out vegetation. Fires quickly spread by burning embers to surrounding areas by wind gusts. 

Fires can be triggered by lightning, faulty power lines, arsonists, campers, and a variety of other factors. Authorities in California are uncertain about causes of each fire, but there is no uncertainty about their devastating effects. At this writing, twenty-seven residents have perished while many more are missing; thousands of structures have been destroyed.

In early 2024 we posted facts concerning a weather phenomenon which brought heavy rains to the same area of California area now suffering from intense drought. Remarkably, in one calendar year west coast weather systems experienced a virtual reversal. The weather phenomena are termed atmospheric rivers: 

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2024/03/atmospheric-rivers-and-climate-change.html 

Weather systems are similar to any other system. A system is defined as a group of inter-related, interacting elements forming a complex entity. Weather systems are laden with elements such as temperature, humidity, density, pressure, wind speed, and the presence of a source of ignition such as a spark or a flame. These elements are commonly reported during weather reports and forecasts. 

Humanity is subject to a physical “operating system” established by God, the Creator of All Things. Genesis 1:28 states humanity must exercise dominion over the natural world. Dominion relates to authority over living things, and by extension, “every thing that (God) had made (Gen. 1:31). This includes the planetary “operating system” initially established by God Himself.

We propose that many government leaders have not exercised wise dominion in managing weather-dependent forest and water resources: creating and maintaining fire breaks by clearing dead brush, retaining an adequate supply of water in reservoirs, and thoughtful community planning. Historically, there have been many natural disasters caused by floods, droughts, and wildfires. We repeat our desire to be compassionate to all citizens who suffered loss in California. 

Our Creator has mandated creation care for humanity. This applies not only to people of faith, but also to people who are not aware of the Creator’s mandate to exercise dominion and authority. Believers must continue to pray for our government’s leaders. May God grant them wisdom to manage our natural resources.

 

  

    

 

  

 

Unique Planet Earth

 The purpose of our current post is to promote reader interest in a fascinating topic—the uniqueness of our physical home in the universe. In one sense, every planet in the universe is unique—one of a kind. Unique can mean unparalleled or without equal. No two planets are identical in every respect. Unique, more generally, connotes unusual or special. Our planet is certainly unusual and special to a high degree. If Earth is the only location in our vast universe where life exists, we may assign the adjective “unique” to our planetary home. 

We mention a small number of life supporting conditions on our unique planet in this article. Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere provide physical conditions which, taken together, provide a unique site for life—human life in particular. Science journalists usually describe only a small fraction of the many physical conditions necessary for the existence of life.

Many of the billions of planets in our universe have an atmosphere. Most atmospheric gas mixtures are not life-friendly. In our Solar System, Earth is the only planet to have an abundant supply of life-friendly oxygen and nitrogen. The chemical properties of these two gases are subjects for detailed study. The atmosphere of Venus, next closest planet to the sun, sometimes called Earth’s twin, has an atmosphere of 96% carbon dioxide. Its atmosphere is nearly 100 times as dense as our planet. Its surface temperature is blazing hot. Not only would Venus’s atmospheric density crush our bodies, but we would be quickly baked by temperatures hot enough to melt lead. Venus is Earth’s twin only in its similarity in size and mass.

Planet Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. Its atmosphere is composed of exceedingly thin carbon dioxide. Not only would we suffer from frostbite (or worse) on its surface, but humans would need a pressurized space suit with a temperature conditioning system able to provide adequate water and oxygen, as well as the capability of removing exhaled CO2 and other products of metabolism. Mars is the only planet humans realistically contemplate visiting in person in future years. Elon Musk has produced incredible reusable rockets through his SpaceX technology company. Musk contemplates a manned Mars visit sooner than most people imagine! 

The tiny, nearly airless planet Mercury with its extreme hot or cold surface temperatures is not a worthwhile venue for a manned visit.

Planet Earth is ideally located in the planetary “habitable” zone. Primarily, the habitable zone for planets is a location where much of the water remains liquid instead of solid or vapor. The habitable zone is not too hot and not too cold and does not possess other fatal environmental hazards.

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are clearly outside the habitable zone. They are gas giants or ice giants, not rocky planets like Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Rocky (terrestrial) planets have layers: crust, mantle and core. As a rocky planet Earth also possesses plate tectonics, by which crustal plates slide across the planet’s surface. Elements such as carbon are thereby recycled over millions of years. Geoscientists believe Earth is likely the only planet to manifest life-sustaining plate tectonics.

Interactions among Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere are unique to Planet Earth. These interactions provide for the existence of life. So far as we know, life exists on one planet in the universe, notwithstanding ebullient optimism expressed by many science journalists. It is possible a few planets possess life-sustaining conditions but it is not more likely that life exists on those planets. If the scientific principle of abiogenesis—life springing from non-living material—is true, it would lend strength to the belief in naturalistic “molecules to man” evolution. Our position is that life on Earth is a result of fiat creation events originated by a Divine Creator, not the result of naturalistic evolution.

One outstanding biblical creation passage is found in Isaiah 45:18. We quote the verse once more: For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!) who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (ESV) 

 

Rare Earth

 So far as we know Planet Earth is the only place where life exists in our vast universe. Finding life apart from our own solar system would be a monumental discovery. We speak of not only human life, but any sort of life. This includes some of the more than 8+ million separate species of life. Our planet teems with life—all sorts of life—human life created In His Image, and many other forms of life.

We do not assert that life beyond the confines of our Planet Earth is impossible. Our personal belief is that the existence of life on another planet within our Solar System or beyond is highly unlikely because physical conditions on other planets or planetary systems are vastly different than conditions on Planet Earth. Radio signals traveling at the speed of light could not cover even a tiny fraction of the distance across the known universe, estimated to be 92 billion light years by some scientists. Even if we traveled one light year (the distance light travels in one Earth year) we would travel an insignificant distance in our quest to communicate with other life forms in our universe. Likewise, alien life forms are unable to communicate with us via electromagnetic radio signals.

Famous nuclear physicist Enrico Fermi once ventured outside his field of expertise during a scientific conference. He wondered, “Where is everybody?” His scientific colleagues realized he was inquiring about extraterrestrial life. The statement became known as the “Fermi paradox.” Many other scientists have passed judgment on the possibility of alien life: 

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2018/07/dismissing-et.html

As young people we may have mused on the possibility of life at other locations in our vast universe. We have commented on this question several times in past posts:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2018/07/alone-in-universe.html

The question concerning life outside our Solar System has been asked even by creationist theologians. If our God is the Creator of All Things, we would expect alien life had its origin in a divine act of fiat creation by the God described in Genesis 1:1-2. This scenario runs counter to evolutionary theory that living creatures could self-assemble naturalistically without any input from the Divine Creator:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2018/07/really-alone.html

Planet Earth has physical conditions unlike any other planet (exoplanet) in our vast universe. Scientists who study this topic are called astrophysicists. Our links discuss just a few topics studied by scientists in this specialized field:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2018/07/earth-exceptional-or-one-of-kind_31.html

Our planet has major “spheres” of physical characteristics. Three of the spheres are (1) atmosphere (2) hydrosphere, and (3) lithosphere. Each sphere possesses sub-spheres. For example, the atmospheres consists of the troposphere, stratosphere, and several other sub-spheres.

“Earth’s spheres—atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere work together to sustain life. Each sphere plays a distinct yet interconnected role in maintaining the planet’s balance. The interconnection between these spheres support diverse ecosystems and ensure environmental stability. Understanding these interactions provides insight into their importance in sustaining life.” (BiologyInsights.com 10/24/2024)

As we investigate the exoplanets discovered in our minuscule corner of the Milky Way galaxy, we are struck with the small number of planets existing in the “habitable zones” around their home stars. Planets must exist within a specific temperature range, having an appropriate amount of liquid water pooling on its surface, and a precise proportion of elements and compounds composing its lithosphere. If the educated guess of astrophysicists that roughly 50% of exoplanets are rocky instead of gaseous, we quickly eliminate half of the universe’s planets from habitability. There are thousands of additional physical parameters which, if absent, reduce the chances of planetary habitability to near ZERO.

Does extra-solar life exist? The question is impossible to answer. It is possible, however, to exult in the uniqueness of Planet Earth. Our God created the universe to be inhabited by humanity and more than eight million other species of life: “For this is what the Lord says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:18 NIV)