Apologist Dr. Alex McFarland Speaks at Summer Youth EQUIP Retreat About Exercising Critical Thinking When Using AI

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Parents, grandparents, and even some technology experts are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact that AI chatbots are having on today’s youth. In a report published last month, it was discovered that open AI tended to respond to questions with a liberal bias approximately 80 percent of the time. A balanced answer (one covering both liberal and conservative slants) was only provided 17 percent of the time, and responses that were limited to a conservative slant were provided only 3 percent of the time. The questions posed had to be limited to 30 words or fewer without personalization settings engaged, according to The Washington Post’s published report picked up by Fox News Digital.

Most Teens Today have Smartphone Access

Even more concerning, about 95 percent of all U.S. teens between the ages of 13-17 have access to a smartphone, with almost half (47 percent) admitting to being constantly online, and 85 percent saying they play video games, according to a Pew Research Center poll picked up by the American Psychological Association.

“Indoctrination is happening on every level,” culture, religion and youth expert Dr. Alex McFarland said via a press release by Hamilton Strategies posted on his website. “The left knows that teens are still formulating their worldview, and are therefore at the prime time for infiltration and brainwashing. For the rare teen that doesn’t interact with a chatbot, social media is sure to push leftist ideology. That’s why it is essential that parents and guardians instill a solid, Biblical foundation that can combat this propaganda.”

McFarland has been a guest speaker at The EQUIP Retreat, a youth retreat. The multi-day event is designed to teach teens apologetics, what it means to view the culture through a Biblical worldview, and to train them to be critical thinkers in response to hidden messages invading their homes and schools, according to McFarland’s website. Sessions have been going on through the summer, with the next sessions Aug. 2 – 7, and Aug. 16-21. Click here for additional details.

Pastor Chip Ingram Addresses AI and Kids

Earlier this month, Pastor Chip Ingram said on his "Living on the Edge" broadcast that he was challenged by a concerned parent to address the issue of AI and kids. So Ingram invited his mentor and friend, author Jack Alexander, to discuss that topic with him. Prior to the show, Alexander posed some interesting questions to AI. He asked it if it would ever be wise, and he said AI responded, “I have no EQ, so no emotional intelligence. I have no relationship skills.”

Alexander also called out AI for the times when it gives people false information, asking it how it’s any different from Satan, who is also a deceiver. He said AI’s response was, “I don’t intend evil, I just reward desire instead of truth.”

Alexander argued that when people are told what they want to hear, it reinforces the deception they desire, which, in turn, makes it increasingly difficult for them to receive the gift of salvation and mature into the person God has made them to be. In addition, they’re also becoming increasingly bound up in pride, isolation, lack of direction and the works of the flesh noted in Galatians chapter 5.

“Unfortunately, it looks like AI is here to stay,” said McFarland via his website. “We must equip our young people with the tools to see through the lies and bear the truth of the Gospel both online and in person.”

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Laurence Dutton

Elizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities.