The Singularity - Ahhhhh!!!!

Good Monday afternoon, Servant Leader. I hope you are enjoying your combination MLK holiday and inauguration day. Today's entry is a little different...

As my regular readers know, I focus mostly on servant leadership and the application of Christian principles in today's business climate. Some would argue that the rise of technology poses a threat to these principles as we move closer to the singularity. As a devout Christian and self-professed servant leader, I choose to trust that a gracious God has already foreseen the singularity and that we may not fully grasp its true impact on society. Are we poised for a mechanized takeover like in the movies, or will it be a giant leap forward in mankind's ability to achieve...anything? (Note: this blog is more about how I used technology to pursue an answer than it is about the answer itself. It is not an endorsement for any single tool. I have used many tools and private interfaces successfully.)

With that as backdrop, over the last year I have spent hundreds of hours researching and learning about artificial intelligence (AI) and its implication and application for business. I tested and ultimately advised on the use of one of over 30 tools to aid my former proposal shop - in some cases against the advice of my colleagues. But the key I found was not in the promise of an all-powerful AI to solve all our problems, but in the strategic decision to focus on achieving tactical successes with AI first.

Let's be honest. Everybody's talking AI. That got me thinking. Could AI help struggling servant leaders align their businesses with Christian principles? So, I ran a test. I input the following prompt verbatim into a Generative AI interface. You'll notice it isn't complicated or perfect.

Persona: You are a respected Biblical scholar with PhDs in religious studies and business and multiple papers published in various think-tank periodicals. Your specialty involves connecting Christian teachings to everyday activities in the business world. Context: Business leaders are balancing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, another biological threat in China, and an increase in threats to global logistics, against inflationary pressures to increase profit to cover increasing cost. Request: Evaluate what you know of the Christian Bible and provide a list of the top 5 scriptures that inform leaders on how to respond in today's business climate. Output: a table that includes the 5 scriptures, their key message, and the business challenge each addresses.

The AI spit out the following results.

Certainly! Here is a table with five scriptures from the Christian Bible that can guide business leaders in today's challenging climate:

These scriptures offer timeless wisdom that can help business leaders navigate the complexities of today's world while staying true to their values and principles. If you have any specific situations or further questions, feel free to ask!

I wanted to go a little deeper, so I asked the AI for more information about Colossians 3. (This is called "stacking prompts.")

Let's drill down a little farther into your assessment of Colossians 3. How does serving Christ aid us in maintaining integrity and dedication at work despite external pressures?

Colossians 3:23-24 emphasizes working with all your heart as if serving the Lord, not merely human masters. This perspective can profoundly impact how we approach our work and maintain integrity and dedication, even under external pressures. Here's how:

1. Higher Purpose: Serving Christ provides a higher purpose beyond immediate job responsibilities or financial gain. This purpose can motivate us to uphold ethical standards and work diligently, knowing our efforts are ultimately for a greater good.

2. Consistent Values: When we view our work as serving Christ, we are more likely to adhere to Christian values such as honesty, fairness, and compassion. These values guide our actions and decisions, helping us maintain integrity even when faced with difficult choices.

3. Inner Strength: The belief that we are serving Christ can provide inner strength and resilience. This spiritual support helps us stay dedicated and focused, even when external circumstances are challenging or stressful.

4. Accountability: Recognizing that our ultimate accountability is to Christ encourages us to act responsibly and ethically. This accountability can deter us from cutting corners or compromising our principles for short-term gains.

5. Reward Beyond Material: Colossians 3:24 reminds us of the eternal reward from the Lord. This perspective shifts our focus from immediate, material rewards to long-term, spiritual fulfillment, encouraging us to remain dedicated and principled in our work.

By integrating these principles into our professional lives, we can navigate external pressures with integrity and dedication, knowing that our work has a deeper, spiritual significance. If you have any more questions or need further insights, feel free to ask!

Interesting. So, the AI (through open interface) understands not only the intersection of scripture and business, but the purpose behind and impact of those principles. Let's see how AI responds to asking it for help in a tricky situation.

One last thing. How would I apply the principles of Colossians 3 to a job where the company is trying but failing to implement Christian principles?

AI's response?

Applying the principles of Colossians 3:23-24 in a job where the company is trying but struggling to implement Christian principles can be challenging, but it's definitely possible. Here are some practical steps you can take:

1. Lead by Example: Demonstrate integrity, dedication, and ethical behavior in your own work. Your actions can inspire others and set a standard for what it means to work as if serving Christ.

2. Encourage Open Dialogue: Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing ethical concerns and Christian principles. Open communication can help identify areas where the company is falling short and brainstorm solutions.

3. Provide Support and Resources: Offer to help the company develop and implement policies that align with Christian values. This could include creating ethical guidelines, organizing training sessions, or providing resources on Christian business practices.

4. Be Patient and Persistent: Change takes time, especially when it involves shifting a company's culture. Be patient and persistent in your efforts, and continue to advocate for Christian principles in a respectful and constructive manner.

5. Seek God's Guidance: Regularly pray for wisdom and guidance in your role. Ask God to help you navigate challenges and to provide opportunities to positively influence your workplace.

6. Build a Support Network: Connect with like-minded colleagues who share your commitment to Christian principles. A support network can provide encouragement, accountability, and collective strength in promoting positive change.

7. Focus on the Bigger Picture: Remember that your ultimate goal is to serve Christ through your work. Even if the company struggles to fully implement Christian principles, your dedication and integrity can still make a significant impact.

By applying these steps, you can help your company move closer to its goal of implementing Christian principles, while also staying true to your own values and faith. If you have any more questions or need further insights, feel free to ask!

I had one more question for the AI. (Note the purposeful spelling errors to try and challenge the AI even more.)

One more. In two sentences, tell me how to use Collosians 3 to pursue the "Great Comission" without being seen as prostelytizing.

The joke's on me. The AI understood me anyway.

By embodying the principles of Colossians 3:23-24, you can demonstrate Christ-like integrity and dedication in your work, which naturally attracts others to your faith. Focus on building genuine relationships and serving others selflessly, allowing your actions to speak louder than words in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Now that the test was complete, I wanted to know if AI could shift to a more analytical tone in the same thread.

Please describe the process we have just used to gain better granularity from your responses.

and the result...

Certainly! Here's a brief overview of the process we used:

1. Initial Response: I provided a general answer to your initial question, offering a table with scriptures and their relevance to business challenges.

2. Focused Inquiry: You asked for a deeper analysis of Colossians 3, prompting a more detailed explanation of how serving Christ aids in maintaining integrity and dedication at work.

3. Practical Application: You then inquired about applying Colossians 3 in a specific context, leading to practical steps for implementing Christian principles in a struggling company.

4. Concise Guidance: Finally, you requested a succinct explanation of using Colossians 3 to pursue the Great Commission without proselytizing, resulting in a focused, two-sentence response.

This iterative process allowed us to progressively refine and deepen the discussion, ensuring that each response was tailored to your specific needs and questions.

So, what's the purpose of this blog?

Everything we do, Servant Leader, doesn't have to be life or death. Sometimes we can just have fun and learn something along the way.

Try it yourself. What problem are you facing today that could use a Biblical response? Can AI point you in a helpful direction?

I'll leave you with this...