2084 and the AI Revolution (Updated and Expanded Edition)

How Artificial Intelligence Informs Our Future

De: John C. Lennox

Narrado por: John C. Lennox

Read by the author.

Will technology change what it means to be human?

You don't have to be a computer scientist to have discerning conversations about artificial intelligence and technology. We all wonder where we're headed. Even now, technological innovations and machine learning have a daily impact on our lives, and many of us see good reasons to dread the future. Are we doomed to the surveillance society imagined in George Orwell's 1984?

Mathematician and philosopher John Lennox believes that there are credible responses to the daunting questions that AI poses, and he shows that Christianity has some very serious, sensible, evidence-based things to say about the nature of our quest for superintelligence.

This newly updated and expanded edition of 2084 will introduce you to a kaleidoscope of ideas:

• Key recent developments in technological enhancement, bioengineering, and, in particular, artificial intelligence.
• Consideration of the nature of AI systems with insights from neuroscience
• The way AI is changing how we communicate, implications for medicine, manufacturing and the military, its use in advertising and automobiles, and education and the future of work
• How data is used today for surveillance, thought control
• The rise of virtual reality and the metaverse
• The transhumanist agenda and longtermism
• The agreements and disagreements that scientists and experts have about the future of AI
• The urgent need for regulation and control in light of the development of large language transformers like CHATGPT.
• Key insights from Scripture about the nature of human beings, the soul, our moral sense, our future, and what separates us from machines.

In straight-forward, accessible language, you will get a better understanding of the current capacity of AI, its potential benefits and dangers, the facts and the fiction, as well as possible future implications.

Since the questions posed by AI, daunting as they might be, affect most of us, they demand answers. 2084 and the AI Revolution, Updated and Expanded Edition has been written to challenge and ignite the curiosity of all listeners. Whatever your worldview, Lennox provides clear information and credible answers that will bring you real hope for the future of humanity.

Questions and charts can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 John C. Lennox (P)2024 Zondervan

Thoughtful and compelling

Proof that a Christian can be faithful to God’s word and face the 21st century with critical thinking and integrity; this book gives the reader an overview of of the challenges and benefits of AI; including the philosophical positions of various AI designers.

Well done

biblically, faithful and philosophically robust. Well done, Lennox. The book is an excellent introduction into artificial intelligence with a biblical lens, which is the true lens

5 start is not enough! Bravo!

What this book is not . . .

At first glance, 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity might seem like just another book speculating about the dangers of AI or warning of an Orwellian future. But to judge this book by its cover would be a mistake. John Lennox does far more than merely analyze technological trends—he takes readers on a profound exploration of the philosophical, ethical, and theological implications of artificial intelligence.

This is not a sensationalist doomsday prediction or a dry technical manual. Instead, 2084 is a thoughtful, well-reasoned engagement with the biggest questions AI forces us to ask: What does it mean to be human? Can machines ever possess moral responsibility? Where is society headed with rapid technological advancements? And, most importantly, how does the biblical worldview uniquely equip us to navigate these challenges?

Lennox’s treatment of AI is balanced, neither alarmist nor blindly optimistic. He presents the facts with clarity, engages with leading thinkers in the field, and demonstrates why Christianity offers a coherent and hopeful foundation for understanding the future. Beneath its cover, 2084 is a book about far more than AI—it’s a compelling discussion on human identity, purpose, and destiny in the face of a rapidly changing world.

If you think this is just another book on AI, think again. 2084 is a must-read for anyone who wants to engage with the real issues shaping our future.

- CDR

What this book is . . .

A Thoughtful, Gospel-Centered Examination of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity

In 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity (Updated and Expanded Edition), John Lennox, a distinguished mathematician and philosopher, offers an illuminating and deeply insightful exploration of artificial intelligence, its rapid advancements, and its profound implications for society, ethics, and human identity. Far from being a mere technological primer, 2084 takes readers on an intellectual journey that traverses the intersections of science, philosophy, theology, and biblical eschatology, providing a balanced and accessible perspective on some of the most urgent questions of our time.

Lennox begins by mapping out the key developments in artificial intelligence (AI), from narrow AI applications to the ambitious quest for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). With clarity and precision, he explains what AI is (and isn’t), how it functions, and where it may be leading us. He critically engages with both utopian and dystopian visions of AI’s future, drawing comparisons to Orwell’s 1984 while also examining contemporary issues such as mass surveillance, big data, transhumanism, and the metaverse.

However, what truly sets 2084 apart is its engagement with the deeper philosophical and theological questions AI provokes. Lennox challenges readers to consider the nature of consciousness, human uniqueness, and the origin of morality. Can machines ever possess true moral agency? Is humanity reducible to mere computational processes, or is there something irreducibly unique about being human? In addressing these questions, he contrasts secular visions of an upgraded "Homo Deus" (a godlike post-human) with the biblical understanding of humanity as created in the image of God.

Throughout the book, Lennox masterfully weaves in a robust Christian perspective, showing how Scripture speaks directly to our concerns about the future. He engages with the Genesis account of creation, the moral fabric of humanity, and the eschatological vision found in the book of Revelation, offering a hope-filled alternative to both technocratic determinism and existential despair. By doing so, he presents a compelling case for the Gospel in the face of AI-driven uncertainty.

For those grappling with the rapid advancements of technology and their ethical implications, 2084 is an essential read. Whether you are a skeptic, a technophile, or someone searching for answers in an increasingly digital age, Lennox’s rigorous yet accessible analysis will equip you with the critical tools to think wisely about AI and its role in shaping our future. More than just a book about technology, 2084 is a profound reflection on what it means to be human—and why that definition ultimately finds its fullest meaning in the God who created us.

Last chapters

What I enjoyed the most were the last few chapters. I am surprised that he did not mention the well-known interpretation of the beast from Revelation and Daniel—the papacy. At times, I felt he was about to bring it up, but then he didn’t. In any case, the book is great.

Great introduction to a fast paced topic

I enjoyed the book overall and recommend it to anyone who feels out of place on how technology and faith intertwine.

Complete waste of time and money.

If I wanted to hear someone force religion into everything I would go to church.