The Politics of AI
I recently read ‘The AI 2027 Report’ which outlines a transformative future shaped by exponential advances in artificial intelligence. From predictive governance to autonomous warfare, emotion-aware algorithms, synthetic biology, and the fusion of human-machine intelligence, the report projects both promise and peril. For Christians, the question is not just how society will change, but how these changes align with biblical prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan in the end times.
Jesus exhorted His followers: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Matt 16:3). As prophetic watchmen (Ezek 33:6), believers are not only called to understand the technological tide, but also to discern what it reveals about humanity’s trajectory, and the Church’s readiness.
At its core, I summarised that The AI 2027 Report suggests:
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Rapid AI-driven convergence across industries, governance, military and education.
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Bio-digital integration, including brain-machine interfaces and AI-enhanced cognitive tools.
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AI ethics and geopolitical tensions, particularly around autonomous weapons and surveillance.
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Emotionally intelligent machines capable of persuasion, manipulation, and companionship.
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Widening inequality as nations and corporations race for supremacy in an AI-powered world.
These projections bring to mind the Tower of Babel, a united technological ambition aimed at controlling destiny apart from God (Gen 11:4).
AI represents a potent tool for both wheat and tares.
Jesus taught the parable of the wheat and tares to explain that the world would host both genuine and counterfeit growth until the final harvest: “Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
AI represents a potent tool for both wheat and tares. It can be used for:
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Advancing the Gospel, such as Bible translation, apologetics and pastoral care.
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Deception and delusion, via deepfakes, predictive profiling, and ideological manipulation (2 Thes 2:9–12).
As AI matures, the divergence between the children of light and the children of darkness (1 Thes 5:5) will become increasingly stark, not because of AI itself, but because of how it is wielded by those with differing allegiances.
Prophetic Insight
AI is accelerating the “ripening” of both righteousness and rebellion. It is a tool that amplifies spiritual identity, those who serve Christ will use it to build, those who serve self or Satan will use it to dominate.
The AI 2027 Report details increasingly autonomous systems designed to think, choose, and feel. In some cultures, AI personalities are being ritualised, even worshipped, creating a digital pantheon.
Revelation 13:15 describes a time when the “image of the beast” is given breath, causing those who refuse to worship it to be killed. While AI is not that “image” per se, its emotional simulation, omnipresence, and the deference it commands foreshadow a world conditioned to worship power mediated through technology.
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Isaiah 44:9-20 warns against making gods out of human tools.
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2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes people as “lovers of self, lovers of money... having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”
As AI attains near-omniscient operational status, it will become, for many, a surrogate for divine presence ...
Prophetic Projection
As AI attains near-omniscient operational status, it will become, for many, a surrogate for divine presence – a false god that ‘knows all’ and ‘guides all’, eventually demanding loyalty.
The report foresees global governance structures integrating AI surveillance into daily life, predicting behaviours, determining risks, and automating law enforcement. While efficiency may improve, the erosion of privacy and freedom is unmistakable.
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Revelation 13:16-17: “So that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark…”
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Daniel 7:25: The little horn “shall wear out the saints of the Most High…” through oppressive systems.
The infrastructure described in AI 2027 could facilitate a Beast System; a seamless union of technology, governance, and finance, capable of excluding dissidents (believers) from participation in society unless they conform.
Prophetic Insight
The Church must prepare for economic and social exclusion in coming decades. Digital currencies, biometric IDs and AI trust-scores may function as compliance checkpoints, forcing believers to choose between faith and convenience.
The report also anticipates developments in human-AI integration, including cognitive augmentation, life extension and synthetic consciousness. These echo the age-old satanic promise: “You will be like God…” (Gen 3:5).
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Psalm 90:12: “Teach us to number our days…”
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Hebrews 9:27: “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…”
Transhumanism, amplified by AI, is not just science, it is eschatology for the secular mind. It replaces resurrection with replication, eternity with upload, and the cross with code.
Transhumanist ideologies will become a major end-time deception, promising life without repentance, glory without God, and salvation through machines.
Prophetic Projection
Transhumanist ideologies will become a major end-time deception, promising life without repentance, glory without God, and salvation through machines. The Church must reassert the uniqueness of Christ’s bodily resurrection (1 Cor 15) and the limitations of human autonomy.
The AI 2027 Report, while ominous in some aspects, also reveals unexpected doors for Kingdom advancement:
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Unreached people groups are gaining access to Scripture via AI-based translations and generative language tools.
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Believers in closed countries can engage in encrypted discipleship through virtual realities and avatars.
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Prophetic voices can warn and prepare the Church using real-time data-driven insights.
Just as Paul used Roman roads to spread the Gospel, Christians today must harness AI as a vehicle for evangelism, discipleship, and prophetic warning.
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Daniel 12:3: “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above...”
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Matthew 24:14: “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations...”
God is not overwhelmed by the AI age.
Prophetic Encouragement
God is not overwhelmed by the AI age. He is raising up Daniels, Esthers and Josephs, strategic, Spirit-filled believers who know how to work within the system without being consumed by it.
Living as Wheat in the AI Age
The AI 2027 Report shows that we are nearing a technological singularity. But for believers, the singularity we await is the return of Christ. AI may dazzle, threaten or assist, but it cannot save. Only Jesus can.
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John 10:27–28: “My sheep hear my voice… I give them eternal life, and they will never perish…”
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Rev 14:12:“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”
A Final Charge
Let us be discerning but not fearful.
Let us be informed but not conformed.
Let us be wheat, rooted, fruitful and ready, until the Lord of the harvest comes.
Nick Thompson, 25/07/2025