Derek Schuurman – Shaping a Digital World

Digital technology has become a ubiquitous feature of modern life.  But how do we think about computer technology and how do we live as faithful Christians in a digitially saturated society? What is a ‘hallucinating’ chatbot?

Brent talks with Derek Schuurman about his IVP book ‘Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology.

Derek is professor of computer science at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the States.  He previously taught at Dordt University and Redeemer University and has worked as an engineer in designing embedded systems.  Derek has also done research in areas of robotics and computer vision as well as faith and technology.  

• (1:30) Christianity in our fast paced world;
• (2:25) Is technology neutral?
• (4:00) Values in computers?
• (5:10) Virtual reality and AI;
• (7:35) ‘Hallucinating’ chatbots?
• (10:00) The Fall and technology;
• (11:20) Does computer technology need redemption?
• (12:30) A Christian approach to computer technology;
• (14:50) Moral issues;
• (18:10) Optimism?
• (19:35) Technology in the new creation;
• (21:00) Robots with emotions?

Links mentioned in this episode:

/calvin.edu/directory/people/derek-schuurman

www.amazon.com/Shaping-Digital-World-Computer-Technology/dp/0830827137

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