“AI is already making a significant impact on humanity, reshaping what it means to be human”

Jeremy Peckham

Author, technology entrepreneur and leadership mentor.

Jeremy Peckham has spent much of his career in the field of Artificial Intelligence, and latterly, as a businessman and entrepreneur. He worked as a government scientist at the UK Royal Aircraft Establishment and later moved to Logica, an international software and systems integration company. Whilst at Logica he was Project Director of the 5 year, pan European and 20m Euro research project on Speech Understanding and Dialogue (SUNDIAL) that broke new ground in AI.

He founded his first company in 1993 through a management buy-out, based on the AI technology developed at Logica, and launched a successful public offering on the London Stock Exchange in 1996. Jeremy is now a technology entrepreneur, having helped to establish several high-tech companies over the last 25 years, where he has served as founder and interim CEO, Chairman, or non-executive director. He is part of a growing network of Christians in Europe and North America interested in AI and has spoken regularly at the Annual European Leadership Forum.

Does our obsession with technology take away more than it gives?

Find out in Jeremy’s latest book.

Summary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) pervades much of our lives. We use facial recognition to open our phones, and the state uses it to track us – so what’s the problem? Decisions are made using machine learning on our private and personal data, from shopping habits to medical history –have we lost control? We order our digital world in conversation with chatbots – how convenient, but is it changing our relationships with people? The prospect of a self-driving vehicle lies just around the corner – should we care that it might run over a child to save the passenger’s life?

Jeremy Peckham shows us how we have become seduced by progress, embracing AI applications for their convenience, yet unwittingly diminishing our ability to be God’s image-bearers and losing moral responsibility. Rooted in the biblical truth that humanity is created in God’s image, Masters or Slaves? explores six ways in which AI has an impact today. We are challenged where, and how, to set boundaries, both privately and as a society, in order not to fall into addiction, slavery and idolatry.

This book shines brightly in the constellation of books on the subject. Written by an expert, it is historically situated, technologically informed, well-modulated in tone, coherent in argument, theological in orientation, and judicious in illustrations. More than a book of conclusions, its design and structure model the best in the art of robust critique while offering possible ways to consider the appropriate deployment of Artificial Intelligence.
– Bruce A. Little, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, USA.

This is a book that needed to be written. We are surrounded by technologies which are new and ever changing. They impinge on almost every area of our lives – from work to leisure, from personal freedom to self-image. And they are not neutral. How do they affect us as human beings made in the image of God? How might AI have a negative impact on authentic relationships? How do we avoid technology becoming a cruel taskmaster? Jeremy Peckham has a profound grasp of both biblical truth and the AI revolution. He helps us to think in a Christian way about a subject we cannot ignore. His book is highly recommended.
– Paul Mallard, Senior Minister, Widcombe Baptist Church, Bath, England; former President of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches.

Publication Date: 21 Jan 2021

Publisher: IVP

ISBN-13: 9781789742398, 9781789742404

Video Based Study Guide Now Available!

Discover over 9 modules, what it means to be made in God’s image, what the bible has to say about technology and how AI in particular is stealing our minds, relationships, moral responsibility, privacy and freedom, dignity of work and ultimately our reality. Learn what the bible teaches about these key areas of being human and think thorough what we can do to remain faithful image bearers.

Find out more at mastersorslaves.com

Short answers to key questions about the ethics surrounding AI (2-3 mins).

Why has AI became so wide spread?

How is AI already impacting us?

What are the ethical issues behind the use of AI?

How does AI simulate human characteristics?

What are some of the moral dangers of using an AI?

What is the singularity and how does it relate to AI?

How does the Christian view of humanity challenge the idea of an AI singularity?

How does a Christian view of humanity challenge AI?

How can human responsibility survive the spread of AI?

Interested in other talks and papers on AI….

Entrepreneurial Leadership and ethics

Jeremy has spent many years leading various organisations from HiTech start ups to not for profit ventures. He has served as CEO, Chairman and Non Executive Director and learnt a great deal over many years of experince in these roles. Jeremy is also interested in how we can lead with a Christian worldview without compromise in a largely secular business world.

If leadership is your thing, or you are interested to learn more about starting new ventures … click here for more short 2-3 minute answers to questions, short talks, longer workshops and a collection of published papers.