Innovation
A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Rev Catherine De Souza, senior leader of City Church in Cardiff.
A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Revd Catherine De Souza, Senior Leader of City Church in Cardiff.
Good morning.
Henry Ford was well known not just as a canny businessman, but also as an innovator. He had a passion for figuring out how things worked and making them better, for example by developing the moving assembly line which enabled largescale output in a relatively short period of time. On this day in 1924 the Ford Motor Company manufactured its 10 millionth car. No doubt at the time, discussions were had about the benefits of technological advancements, compared with the dignity of individual labour. Although technology has developed and moved since then, some discussions and deliberations about the right and proper use of it are still ongoing. And in fact perhaps even more so with the rise of artificial intelligence, or AI.
One discussion about AI that I find particularly interesting is around the role of technology and creativity, and whether technology can ever fully emulate the creative capacity of people. As human beings we are made in the image of God who created the whole universe, who made the earth and everything in it. I believe God created the vast oceans and the huge mountains and designed the intricacies of the smallest insects and the delicate petals of a rose. He created great diversity amongst creatures, amongst landscapes, and across people. Perhaps in these conversations, complex though they are, we shouldn’t lose sight of our incredible capacity to create and innovate, because of the creator God who made us.
Lord, thank you for the wonder of your creation and thank you that you created us. Help us to demonstrate and express the creativity you have placed within us in ways that glorify you. Amen