Don’t fear AI – Learn to use it responsibly
Treasure Hardwick, News and Feature Editor
Photo Courtesy of Levart Photographer on Unsplash
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s part of everyday life. According to GPTZero, a tool designed to detect AI usage, more than half of Americans report interacting with AI daily, while 86% of college students regularly use its tools and 24% use it daily.
For many, AI has become a helpful tool used for brainstorming, organization and studying. Others may feel uneasy about AI and the ethical implications that surround it.
The tension and excitement surrounding the subject is exactly what Martin Jones, professor and associate dean of the College of Business and Economics at Anderson University, seeks to educate people on. He has conducted extensive research on AI and has thought about how to use its tools in a way that is biblically faithful.
On Nov. 14, Jones spoke at North Greenville University’s first-ever Cyber Faith Conference, where educators, students and professionals gathered to learn and discuss how faith and technology intersect. He also teaches an AI at course at Anderson where students explore the impact of AI on business and society. Furthermore, he leads seminars where he equips students and faculty to engage thoughtfully with AI tools.
In his lecture at the Cyber Faith Conference, Jones focused on teaching the attendees how to use AI, rather than not using it at all.
While using AI may seem dishonest or unethical, Jones encouraged students and faculty to use it, but first to learn how to use its tools, as it is a useful when used properly and ethically.
At the conference, Jones challenged the idea that Christians stand at an intersection of technology and faith. He argued that we are already in an age of full integration, where AI is everywhere. The real question is not whether to move forward, but how to move forward in this new reality.
Jones said, “If we are going to be stewards of all that God entrusted to us, which goes back to the creation mandate, we need to, as the Church, understand what is happening in our culture, and we should be equipping ourselves and moving forward.”
To help students and faculty to navigate this new reality, Jones spoke of a theological framework for how to use AI in a way that is useful and that also glorifies God. Using the acronym WISE (Worship, Image, Sent, Equipped), he explained that Christians should use AI in a way that worships God, remembers their identity as image-bearers of Christ, use AI in a way that furthers the gospel and develop skills to use these tools well.
Jones explained that as believers, reliance on government to regulate use is not enough. With AI developing much faster than legislation, students and faculty should learn to “self-regulate”. Instead of waiting for new federal or state policies, it is vital to build your own ethical guardrails.
While many people, especially students, have always heard AI framed as a bad thing, Jones emphasized that rather than looking at it fearfully, we should approach it with discretion. He encouraged students to stop assuming using AI’s tools is cheating or inherently evil.
Jones explained that AI becomes harmful when people heavily depend on it, copy and paste text from it or use it to replace learning.
He encouraged students to use AI as a tutor, writing coach or brainstorming partner. Tools like ChatGPT help students organize ideas, come up with questions, understand challenging subjects and see fresh perspectives. But, in the end, student must submit is their own work.
Jones also explained that ethically using AI should not be an expectation only put on students. He argued that faculty should model the same honesty that they require of their students. If professors use AI for ideas, tests or assignments, he challenged them to be open about it rather than hiding it.
