Your Place in this (AI) World

AI is a hot topic right now, and it’s going to change our lives in big ways.

Its impact is hard to quantify or imagine, but it will change the world.—just like the steam engine, the car, the tractor, and the internet…

AI will change the world in many ways for the better and in other ways not.

One of the biggest fears people have is losing their jobs to AI. If that happens, how will we earn money? How will we survive?

What is my place in this world when AI can do what I do - better and faster than me? Even if we have universal basic income… what will my purpose in life be?

First, you are valuable. You have a Father who loves you and finds you mesmerizing. Your intrinsic value doesn’t change because of what you do. Your value to Him is set. But that eternal fact doesn’t put food on your table, shield you from pain, or guarantee your income.

It’s important to remember that our income comes from the value we provide. We’re paid for the value we create, not just for our time. And that won’t change. Money is just a way to exchange value.

So, how will we create value in a world dominated by AI? Imagine a world where no one has to work because basic needs are met. It’s hard to picture, but there are examples.

Think of children in a loving home. They don’t work, yet they have value. They are cared for and still contribute to their family and friends.

Or consider the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had everything they needed. They didn’t toil; they cultivated and managed what was already provided. Toiling came as a curse later. Before that, their needs were met, and they simply expanded and multiplied what was there.

People often wonder what they’ll do if they’re not working. Where will they find purpose? Think about weekends. You work during the week, but does life lose meaning on weekends? No. You connect with people, create, and contribute. Imagine doing that all the time. Those activities have value.

Even if you’re a volunteer worship leader creating set lists and leading worship, you’re contributing valuable things to your community. Whether paid or unpaid, the value remains.

The world will change drastically with AI, but the concept of value won’t. You don’t need to exchange time for value to get value in return.

Take songwriters as an example. Chris Tomlin’s How Great Is Our God might have taken 20 hours to write, but its value is immense. He received royalties and opportunities far beyond those hours.

In creative spaces, value isn’t tied to time but to the impact made. An actor might spend three months on set but get paid millions because of the value brought through his talent and brand visibility.

The key is to think about how you can create value in your life with what you have right now. How do you bring value to your church or team? Focus on providing as much value in your sphere of influence, and income will follow.

Understanding this concept of value is crucial in an AI-driven world where many jobs might be automated. What won’t change is our need for creativity, connection, community, contribution, cultivation, and curiosity.

By engaging in these activities, we create value for ourselves and others. Even now, look around and find ways to bring value to your surroundings and connections.

As worship leaders, our role is to lead people into encounters with Jesus using creativity to express corporate responses to Him. This will always be valuable. The methods might change over time, but the core of what we do remains essential wherever people gather together in His name.