Artificial Intelligence (AI) voice impersonations and the Antichrist

By Elizabeth Prata

Read the book of Revelation. There are some symbols in it, but most of them are already explained elsewhere in the Bible (scripture interprets scripture). Admittedly, there are some symbols that are hard to figure out at first pass. But those don’t diminish the overall majesty and awe-provoking wonder of the book, nor its intended meaning. It takes study, like any Bible book. It’s not harder than Romans…IMO

When the Antichrist, Man of Perdition, appears, it will be a devastating time on earth. Jesus Himself said it will be the worst time on earth there ever has been or ever will be. (Matthew 24:21). Satan will have come to the climax of his eons-long effort to de-throne God and to take over the world. He will indwell the Man of Perdition, and so there will be mostly only sin upon the earth. Sin will prevail- for a time.

In former times, people could not understand how certain things would occur that are described in Revelation. Like, for example, the verse that says all peoples will look upon the bodies of the slain Witnesses in the streets and not allow their bodies to be buried, and they will make merry and exchange gifts.

As a temporary aside, the unsaved HATE Christianity and all it represents. When sin is allowed its full measure on the earth, look how that hate is finally fully expressed: instead of Christmas celebrating the Babe with gift exchange, the world celebrates the Two Witnesses’ deaths and putrefying bodies with gifts. Instead of celebrating life, they will celebrate death.

Never think we can ‘woo the seeker’ with soft words. Only the actual Gospel will serve, and the world will love the Two Witnesses’ deaths because, as the scripture says, the world was ‘tormented’ by their words. (Revelation 11:10-11). The Gospel offends.

Anyway, before television was invented, before even film, radio, telegraph, the old timey people wondered, HOW would the whole world see this spectacle? There is no doubt that it will occur, but the means by which it will be fulfilled was beyond their imaginations.

But now technology has advanced so we say ‘Oh, satellite/cable/cellphones/wifi… THAT’S how.’

And now we come to another technological crossroad. You have heard of AI. AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. AI can generate art or literature based on key word inputs. It can also mimic voices. It is getting better at voice fakes. AI is even about to be able to produce 3D-holograms that can be done on a smartphone.

There is a verse in Revelation that people can’t really decide on how to interpret:

And he makes the earth and those who live on it worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the presence of people. And he deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause all who do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (Revelation 13:12b-15)

Wut? Is the Antichrist killed? Is he dead? Not dead? Dead but resurrected?

Does it matter? With deep fakes and holograms, and AI that can mimic the person’s voice, any of the above is possible.

I thought about this from Revelation 13 when I came across a news story about a High School Principal who was framed by a staff member under investigation who used AI to make it seem like the principal had engaged in a racist rant. The swift circulation of this supposed clip caused significant disruption to the school and its students, a devastating impact to the man’s reputation, and a huge risk of harm to the principal and his family from others. But it was AI and only a fake from the disgruntled staffer.

The technology person interviewed in the news story said that there were clues in the audio that let police know this was a fake. He said that the person making it seemed a bit rushed, “but, if he had taken a bit more time, it would have been impossible for naked ears to tell the difference” between the fake and the real voice. I was interested to see that the AI voice fake was generated by the staffer who was a PE teacher. He wasn’t an underground shadowy guy like you see on the spy shows using massive technical materials in the ‘deep web’. He was just a regular teacher who created the fake easily. But it fooled people for a time.

AI is causing issues. I hear that scammers have latched onto AI to use voice mimicry to pose as grandchildren to ask Grandma for her banking details in order to ‘help’ her. Below is a quote from New York Department of Consumer Affairs:

As advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to impact many aspects of our lives, consumers should keep up to date with the newest types of scams that may target them and their loved ones. Scammers may try to impersonate your family and friends using AI voice-cloning technology to ask for money or personal information. Scammers may also use deepfake technology to alter pictures or video to impersonate public figures or loved ones. “Scammers are becoming increasingly more creative and using new technologies, like AI, to prey on consumers,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga.

In January, CNBC reported a faked AI robocall allegedly from President Biden to urge voters not to participate in the New Hampshire primary.

You know the adage, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’? No more. Anything and everything can be faked. Is it any wonder the Antichrist will easily perform lying signs and wonders at the height of his popularity?

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the presence of people. And he deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, (Revelation 13:13-14a).

Matthew 24:24 warns that these signs will be so realistic that if it was possible, even the elect would be deceived.

It is more important than ever to cling tightly to Jesus in prayer, in the Word, and in holy living. Work to increase your sanctification. Pray for protection from the deceptions of the day. Jesus is Truth, the source of Truth in His word and the only place these days you can trust 100%.

We should be grateful we do not have to navigate these earthly treacherous waters unaided. The Holy Spirit in us preserves us and daily transforms our mind to the mind of Christ. If I were you, and I’m preaching to myself too, I’d ramp up our walk to a run and strive harder for a closer walk with Him. He is the high ground, the Rock, the safe zone. In Him, we cannot be deceived away from the truth.