For as long as there has been an internet and texting, naïve and foolish teens – and younger kids – have been sharing intimate images that they think will be kept private. 
Artificial intelligence now can include perfectly innocent kids that have never shared an inappropriate image in their lives. Elliston Berry told her story to a congressional panel recently.
“I was 14 years old when I was violated all over social media. Photos were circulating on social media, pictures from a past Instagram post with a nude body created by an AI app Upon Mine,” she testified.
They're called nonconsensual intimate images, and they can ruin a child's life.
“Fear, shock, disgust, and disbelief were some of the many emotions that filled my head in that moment. Every day I will live in fear that these photos will resurface, or someone could easily recreate,” Berry said.
AI and family conversation
Chase Cappo of BibleChat AI says families need to teach their kids about the dangers of the internet early and often.
“Being aware, talking about artificial intelligence, not only with your church but with your family, and making it a routine part of family conversation.”
States are starting to put laws on the books to make the creation of non-consensual intimate images illegal, but someone still needs to be there to pick up the pieces of broken lives like Elliston's.
Christians are often split on the subject of AI.
Some argue that AI, as a creation of human intelligence, reflects the image of God and can be seen as a tool for glorifying God. This perspective emphasizes the potential benefits of AI in serving humanity and advancing God’s kingdom.
Others emphasize the importance of human dignity and responsibility, cautioning against the dehumanization that AI can bring and the potential for machines to assume human-like qualities. This perspective highlights the need for Christians to engage critically with AI development and ensure that it aligns with biblical values.
Why Christians need to be informed
Berry's story highlights the need for churches to engage the topic, Cappo says.
“God help us and our culture. It's disgusting and tragic,” Cappo said.
That’s all the more reason the church needs to be, not only involved with AI, but have a seat at the table to say to instruct on how it’s used in the church and how it should be used by Christians.
“We're using AI to maybe equip pastors who don't know how to address this conversation to an audience of maybe 10, 11, 12, 13-year-olds,” Cappo said.
