Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Exploring how AI is transforming our world and what it means for the future
Welcome
What is AI?
If you're new to AI, you're probably wondering: What even is artificial intelligence? The answer is simpler than you might think.
AI is a tool. Just like a pencil, a calculator, or a computer—it's something humans created to help us work faster, smarter, and more effectively.
AI is Just a Tool
Think About the Pencil
A pencil is a simple tool. With a pencil, you can:
- Write a love letter
- Draw a beautiful picture
- Solve a math problem
- Create architectural blueprints
But a pencil can also be used to write hurtful words, forge a signature, or spread misinformation. The pencil itself isn't good or bad—it's neutral. What matters is how you use it.
AI is the same way. It's a powerful tool that can:
✅ Be Used for Good
- Translate the gospel into new languages
- Create engaging content that reaches people
- Analyze data to better understand communities
- Automate repetitive tasks so you focus on relationships
⚠️ Be Used for Harm
- Spread misinformation or deepfakes
- Replace genuine human connection
- Manipulate people's emotions
- Amplify biases or discrimination
The Key Question
"Will you learn how to use this tool effectively and ethically, or will you avoid it and let others shape its impact on the world?"
You Have to Know How to Use the Tool
Here's the reality: AI is not going away. It's already reshaping industries, communication, education, healthcare, and yes—even ministry.
But like any tool, AI is only as effective as the person using it. A hammer in the hands of someone who's never swung one before can cause more harm than good. But in the hands of a skilled builder, that same hammer can construct something beautiful.
What Does "Knowing How to Use AI" Mean?
It means understanding:
- What AI can do — Its strengths and limitations
- How to communicate with AI — Writing effective prompts (you'll learn this in Module 3!)
- When to use AI — And when human creativity, empathy, or judgment is irreplaceable
- How to use AI ethically — Transparently, responsibly, and in alignment with your values
This course will teach you all of that. By the end, you'll be equipped not just to use AI, but to use it wisely, effectively, and for the advancement of the gospel.
You're in the Right Place
Whether you're tech-savvy or completely new to AI, this course will meet you where you are. We're not here to hype AI or fear-monger about it. We're here to help you understand it, use it well, and leverage it for God's mission.
Understanding AI
Video: What is AI? (Coming Soon)
Watch this short video for a simple explanation of what AI really is and how it works.
November 30, 2022
A Pivotal Moment
I still remember this day. I remember hearing about ChatGPT and immediately going to log in. It was clunky and not very intuitive. The outputs were impressive, but when compared to what you see today, it's sort of like going back and watching a television series made in the 80s on a new HD TV today—those silly black lines on each side and the quality is painful to watch.
At the time, we didn't see how primitive the output actually was. We were amazed. But fast forward just a few years, and the outcomes are remarkably better. In some cases, they've surpassed human output. And they do so with remarkable speed.
A Dividing Line in History
We often talk about the Gutenberg printing press (1440) as a watershed moment in human history. It divided the world into "Before Print" and "After Print." Before, knowledge was scarce and gatekept. After, information began to democratize.
November 30, 2022 is your generation's Gutenberg moment.
Just as the printing press put the power of mass communication into ordinary hands, AI is putting the power of knowledge work, creativity, and problem-solving into yours. Historians will look back on this date as the moment when artificial intelligence crossed from speculation into ubiquity.
This is the divide between "Before AI" and "After AI." And you are living through it right now.
Understanding this significance helps us grasp the urgency of learning to use these tools well. The question isn't whether AI will shape the future—it already is. The question is: will you be prepared to engage with it wisely?
Change is Fast
Look at how video creation has changed in such a short time
Early Experimentation
Smooth Expansion
Dramatic Leap
Refined Excellence
The Standard Today
18 Months. 5 Generations. Revolutionary Change.
This acceleration is the new normal in AI development. What does this mean for the future of content creation, communication, and your mission?