The Human Touch: Why AI Can’t Replace God’s Image in Us

As AI-generated content becomes increasingly prevalent, it’s essential to consider the implications for our faith and humanity. The Velvet Sundown, an AI-generated rock band, raises questions about the role of human connection in art and music. While AI can mimic human creativity, it lacks the embodied experience and emotional depth that comes with being human.

The Value of Human Creativity
When we create or consume content, we’re not just exchanging information; we’re also building relationships and connections with others. Human content creators bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and emotions to their work, making it relatable and authentic. In contrast, AI-generated content, no matter how sophisticated, remains at least one step removed from human connection.

Glorifying God through Human Creativity
As Christians, our chief aim is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. While AI can be a useful tool, it cannot replace the human touch that reflects God’s image in us. Our creativity, emotions, and experiences are all part of what makes us human, and they are essential to creating content that truly glorifies God.

The Limits of AI-Generated Content
AI-generated content may be able to mimic human-like intelligence, but it lacks the embodied experience and emotional depth that comes with being human. AI may be able to write a song about war, but it hasn’t experienced the trauma and tragedy that comes with it. Our insights about the world are informed by our embodied experience, and AI can only ape this imperfectly.

Discerning AI-Generated Content
As we navigate the world of AI-generated content, we need to consider when and how to interact with it. We must discern when generating or consuming such content is appropriate and ensure that it doesn’t diminish the importance of human creativity and connection. By recognizing the limits of AI-generated content, we can use it in ways that glorify God and enhance our humanity.