2084: Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Humanity, and the God Question By John C. Lennox

A most needed contribution to public discourse. Lennox achieves a great feat by providing a solid response to the Homo Deus project and feelings behind Yuval Noah Harari's book. He contextualizes this discussion through a brief survey of AI research and the futuristic claims made by AI enthusiasts. These are analyzed against the backdrop of history, ethics and a Christian perspective.

The book is carefully written and very well-researched. It reminded me why I'm thankful for Lennox as a credible public voice for Christianity. 9780310109563 Lennox takes an honest at the current state of AI development and how Christians should respond to things like the transhumanist movement which present a view of human nature far outside what the Bible teaches. His arguments are intelligently made, his research is very well-done (taking the time to look at specific things that transhumanist and atheist writers have recently written on the subject and then deconstructing their ideas). All told, a wonderful book on the theological implications of AI. 9780310109563 Relatively more lucid than other books on the topic in recent years - still too focused on details to see the bigger picture clearly. But still, Lennox should be credited for at least glimpsing some of the problematic aspects of the transhumanist, post-scarcity idealism and the technocratic dream of a thoroughly optimized human society that are subtly but insistently championed by many other voices in the AI conversation.

Now, the problem with Lennox is that he is also, apparently, a Christian with whacky creationist notions of his own, including classics like evolution can't explain the origin of life, it already needs life to be there to get started. Checkmate, atheists!... and for some reason he insists on dedicating at least a couple sentences of every chapter to making a fool of himself with excursions into these personal delusions of his, which will make it all too easy for critics to dismiss this book without actually having to address his well-justified fears for the future of humanity now that we're learning how to summon daemons. 9780310109563 Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a science fiction dream. AI is part of our present and part of our future. But what is Artificial Intelligence and what does this penumbra of technologies mean for the future of mankind? Will AI overtake humanity, and if so, will AI operate within an ethical construct? These questions and more are addressed in “2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity” by Dr. John Lennox.

Dr. Lennox is a Professor of Mathematics (Emeritus) at Oxford University, England. He is a thinker and writer who has debated the likes of Richard Dawkins. But more importantly, Dr. Lennox is a follower of Jesus Christ. So, when this august academic writes on the topic of science he is writing based not only on substantial academic credentials, he also writes from a historic Christian worldview. And that is the real value of this book. Dr. Lennox covers the panoply of issues involved with AI while always bringing to the fore the age-old questions, such as: What does it mean to be human? Where do I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?

In fact, Dr. Lennox masterfully uses AI as the substrate on which to overlay a biblical theology of God’s plan for man in the context of time and eternity. Lennox nails the meta narrative of Scripture while addressing head-on the compelling issues involved with AI. Lennox explains, at length, how mankind wishes to use AI to become god, while in reality the God of the universe became man so that man could live eternally with God.

This is a fascinating and most relevant book. Read the book, then buy a few copies and then give them to your friends who are fascinated with Science and Technology. In doing so, you will introduce them to the God Man, Jesus Christ. Happy reading! 9780310109563 In this short book John Lennox plays off of George Orwell’s “1984” and looks to the year 2084 in light of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Lennox looks at the human infatuation with AI through a biblical lens. His primary focus of the book is showing whether or not AI, as autonomous computers, is ethical in light of the world we live in with a holy creator God. The last half of the book is spent look at Daniel and Revelation has he highlights the reality that in seeking to create AI we are seeking to creat a god in our own image that we can ultimately control. His whole objective is to show that AI cannot save us, and the ultimate intellect and hope that we have is in Jesus. 9780310109563

read 2084: Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Humanity, and the God Question

Where did we come from? Where we are going? How will the increased incorporation of AI into our lives affect our individual and corporate privacy, the security of our jobs, our political and personal freedoms, and the future of our species as a whole?

Popular answers to these questions portrayed in the bestsellers Sapiens and Homo Deus by historian Yuval Noah Harari and Origins by novelist Dan Brown wildly differ: from utopian vistas of super-humans working alongside super-intelligent AI to Orwellian outcomes where humans are controlled or outcompeted by super-intelligent machines or superior versions of ourselves.

In 2084, scientist and philosopher John C. Lennox addresses the questions of where humanity is going in terms of technological enhancement, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence. He provides a clear overview of the current capacity of AI, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the potential future implications, clearly defining the terms associated with this field and delineating between the current scientific facts and more speculative claims. Lennox argues that the worldview, and therefore ethics, with which we approach this area will have serious implications for any future AI and how it interacts with humanity. 2084: Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Humanity, and the God Question

Extremely timely, very readable, and thought-provoking. I think everyone should read this book, whether or not you are a believer or an agnostic. 9780310109563 I’m so grateful for John Lennox, a Christian author of substance and rigour and breadth who models engagement with his subject, who looks into the thoughts behind ideas, who streps into the lion’s den of alternatives and contends for his position in the light of the views of his opponents.

Although a brief book, 2084 is a substantial book. Lennox undertakes a broad consideration of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), citing both researchers and philosophers who see a hopeful future made possible by technological emulation - and perhaps exceeding - of human intelligence and being.

This makes for a book which is both informative and probing. Despite Lennox’s clear Christian conviction the tone and content holds value for believer and unbeliever alike. The first two thirds of the book is largely describing the development, uses, future, expectations - and aspirations - of AI.

Lennox then purposefully and generously addresses a Christian approach to human identity, purpose, potential and destiny. Neither AI and its champions nor the the author’s biblical responses are superficial. The great value to be found in this book for Christian and non-Christian alike.

Without dismissing his stated subject, Lennox probes the ideas and worldviews that underlie AI and AGI. The result is a book that has value beyond simply considering technology, but questions of what it means to be human, the existence of God, the predicament of evil, the limitations of mortality and the prospect of life and reality beyond the physical, naturalistic system.

A deep, accessible, timely and masterfully crafted book by a treasured thinker and mentor. 9780310109563 I came upon this book rather randomly and was immediately excited about the prospects it offered. The first couple of chapters drew me in as Lennox introduced some truly fascinating and important issues in the world's of technology, evolution, philosophy and religion.

It is hard to express my true disappointment in what followed. Lennox appears to shift gears suddenly; and goes from a man who seems well educated, reasoned and capable of coherent argument to a man who does nothing but make wildly outlandish remarks with little to no merit whatsoever.

He wages a war against Yuval Harari and his popular collection of books, and in doing so completely embarrasses himself to the point where I actually feel pity for him and those who resonate with what he is speaking.

Lennox feels that he can disregard credible scientific information, quote the bible as his source of evidence for ridiculous, completely illogical arguments... And then turn around and act like he himself is a man of science.

Overall I was simply blown away by how terrible this book was. 9780310109563 Very well written, intelligent and thoughtful.

I appreciate the biblical references and how they apply to our world today.

Tremendous scientific research went into writing this book.

I appreciate the facts, quotes and proof that science does not conflict with the bible. 9780310109563 So…I’m not quite sure what to do with this book. John Lennox is a bona fide genius (PhD, DPhil, DSc, Professor Emeritus at Oxford). He’s the intellectual that comes out to dispute Dawkins, Harris, and the other New Atheists as the resident British scientist in the field of Christian apologetics. And usually he’s quite good. I was very curious what his take on technology and artificial intelligence would be even though those ideas are a bit out of his normal wheelhouse.

Despite its small size and marketing to a general audience, the book is rather dense. If you’re a newcomer to the field or a newcomer to Lennox, you may find yourself lost amid his myriad of scientific and cultural references. I also found that the book leaned too heavily as a response to Dan Brown’s novel Origins and Yuval Harari’s non-fiction books Sapiens and Homo Deus. Readers who do not have a working knowledge of these titles are at a disadvantage as Lennox often writes as if he is providing commentary on those books. There is literally an entire chapter devoted to reviewing Origins and explaining why this fictional novel does not comport with reality.

Lennox shines brightest when he is simply explaining the technology behind artificial intelligence, how it has advanced in recent years, and where top people in the field believe it is going. In these sections, Lennox acts as a journalist rather than a commentator and its in those sections I found Lennox most helpful.

His most helpful commentary comes as a response to Yuval Harari. This is unfortunate because, unless you are familiar with his books, you miss out on a fair amount of context (as well as being able to determine if his critique of Harari is contextual and fair). Readers who are unfamiliar can muddle through, but 2084 fails to stand on its own and is instead propped up by these other works.

In the end, I honestly can’t decide if my disappointment in 2084 comes from my high opinion of Lennox’s previous work, my incorrect expectations, or Lennox’s failure to provide a cohesive, standalone critique of AI. I think it’s a bit of all three. Despite its short size, this was a difficult book to get through and relies too much on other works to construct its own narrative.

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