I had been reading, studying and researching.
My mind was focused in one direction. We were about to venture into ethical issues, evolution of living beings, and a new understanding of the creator and created beings.
As I stepped into my teaching capacity at Sunday School, I was confident. The class would see and understand the importance of the topic!
I began with the question: “What is AI?”
Let me explain the main participants. The first young man is a farmhand. He grew up in a farm home. He knows animals. The second participant is a bit of a gamer and computer type. He grew up in town. Then there is me – the somewhat naive teacher!
“How would you define AI?”
I turned to the first young man. He quietly declined to answer. I pressed him. He explained that he knew what it looked like, but he couldn’t quite describe it. I figured he was at a loss for words.
The second young man was much more eloquent as he explained Artificial Intelligence.
Just the answer I was looking for.
Not the answer a rural population would have given!
I figured the class went well. I was excited to talk to friends following our church service. That’s when I became painfully aware. Most of them would have answered like the first young man. They have been around animals. They understand farming. AI is Artificial Insemination.
I was chatting with my brother-in-law later that evening. He is a pastor in Oregon. I asked him the question – “What is AI?” His immediate answer assumed that I was reading the Old Testament in a Sunday School class. He talked about Ai and Achan. A whole other story!!
Any marriage will tell you that what I said isn’t always what my spouse heard. Communicating in the same language makes business decisions viable. If you want to live a peaceable life, walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
All lessons I should know by now.
Meanwhile, I apologized to the first young man and was forgiven. That young man is a hero in my eyes. He didn’t call me stupid or ignorant. He didn’t hold it against me. He forgave me.
I hoped I’ve learned a lesson. Know your audience, and if you flub up (I hope you – the audience – know what that means) ask for forgiveness. Accept forgiveness and move on – to the next time you ask, “What is AI?”
For more, visit kindersleysocial.ca/webarchive/Ron-Baker
