Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quietly embedded itself into our daily lives in ways we might not notice. Spell checkers, writing assistants like Grammarly, virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa, and text generators like ChatGPT all fall under the category of Narrow AI. These are specialized systems designed to perform specific tasks, and they do it well, often making our work faster and more efficient. But they also raise important questions about their role in how we think, create, and learn.

At their core, Narrow AI systems like Grammarly or ChatGPT function similarly to advanced search engines but with more context. They do not just give you a list of links or individual suggestions. Instead, they gather information and respond more like conversing or following a structure. For instance, spell check points out mistakes based on specific rules, while Grammarly further suggests improving tone, style, and clarity. AI text generators, like ChatGPT, take this to another level by producing whole paragraphs or essays in response to prompts. They aren’t live-updating sources of information, though. Instead, these tools rely on large datasets they’ve been trained on to generate their output.

How Narrow AI Functions

Narrow AI doesn’t “think” in the human sense. It doesn’t understand nuance or context the way a person would. Instead, it recognizes patterns in vast amounts of data and applies these patterns to respond to specific tasks. Whether you’re using Siri to set a timer, asking Grammarly to improve your writing, or employing a code assistant to fix a bug in a script, the underlying mechanism is the same. The AI uses predefined algorithms to identify errors, generate solutions, or offer suggestions based on what it has “learned” from its training data.

Tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, or even a simple spell checker can sometimes misunderstand your request or provide recommendations that don’t fit. Worse yet, AI generators can fabricate information (AI Hallucinations), especially regarding citations or references. What looks like a natural source might not exist at all. This is why AI, while helpful, must always be used carefully, especially in academic or professional contexts.

Practical Uses of Narrow AI in Daily Life

Narrow AI tools offer substantial benefits when used in the proper context. Here are some ways these tools can assist in everyday tasks:

• Writing Assistance: Tools like Grammarly go beyond simple grammar corrections by suggesting changes to improve readability, tone, and clarity. These tools are excellent for ensuring that written communication is clear and professional, but they are imperfect. They often struggle with context, offering suggestions that don’t always align with the intended meaning.
• Search and Information Synthesis: AI like ChatGPT and similar text generators can create responses based on a large training data set. These are useful for generating ideas, summarizing content, or offering quick solutions. Yet, because they are trained on existing data, they might misunderstand the intent of a question or even fabricate sources when asked for citations.
• Automation and Task Management: Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa simplify everyday tasks, such as setting reminders, sending texts, or finding quick facts. These AIs are great at managing routine tasks but can struggle with more complex or nuanced requests.
• Code and Problem-Solving Assistance: Code assistants that offer bug fixes or coding suggestions are incredibly useful for developers. These AI tools save time by offering immediate solutions to technical issues. Still, while they can solve problems quickly, they cannot replace the deeper work of understanding and troubleshooting code.

Ethical Considerations:

AI should assist in our work but must never take over the relational or ethical dimensions central to human life. For example, tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT can help with brainstorming or clarity in ministry or education but cannot replace the deeper spiritual or intellectual engagement required.

Miroslav Volf has written extensively about the intersection of technology and human flourishing. Volf argues that true human flourishing requires more than efficiency and convenience. It demands a deep engagement with spiritual and ethical values that technologies like AI cannot provide. AI should assist in our tasks, but it must not be allowed to replace the relational and ethical dimensions essential to human life (Volf, 2016).

Lennox (2020) echoes this by reminding us that AI lacks moral agency. While AI can help productivity, it does not understand empathy, justice, or spiritual discernment. Humans must maintain responsibility for how AI is used, especially in areas that impact other people’s lives.

Responsible Use of Narrow AI in Practice

When using Narrow AI tools in various areas of life, it’s essential to keep the following principles in mind:

• Assist, Don’t Replace: AI should enhance your efforts, not do the job for you. Grammarly can help with grammar and style, but it cannot write with the nuance or intentionality of human thought. Similarly, text generators like ChatGPT can provide valuable suggestions but should not be used as a replacement for original thought or critical engagement.
• Fact-Check and Verify: Narrow AI systems do not actively search the web in real-time. They rely on static datasets that may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify the information and double-check citations, especially when AI tools fabricate sources or misunderstand your intent.
• Acknowledge AI’s Role: Transparency is essential, especially in professional and academic settings. If AI played a significant role in shaping or refining your work, it’s ethical to acknowledge that. Using AI responsibly means giving credit where it’s due.
• Maintain Integrity: AI tools like Grammarly or spell check are valuable for ensuring clarity and correctness, but they should not become shortcuts to avoid deeper learning or engagement. Whether writing, coding, or planning a project, AI is a tool meant to assist in the process, not replace the effort required to master a skill or produce original work.

Narrow AI tools offer a wide range of benefits, but they also require careful use. These tools excel at solving specific tasks, managing information, or offering suggestions, but they do not understand context or possess the moral reasoning that humans bring to their work. As Volf (2016) and Lennox (2020) remind us, AI should assist and enhance our efforts, but it’s up to us to guide these tools with wisdom, integrity, and ethical responsibility.

~PW 🌮🛶

References

• Lennox, J. (2020). 2084: Artificial intelligence and the future of humanity. Zondervan.
• Volf, M. (2016). Flourishing: Why we need religion in a globalized world. Yale University Press.