Midland, Texas AI Group Advances Regulation and Surveillance

A new group has been formed in the Midlands to raise concerns about the use of artificial intelligence at a local level.

Founded by Eliel Rosa of Nehemiah220 Ministries, the group is titled “Midland of Tomorrow” and is comprised of prominent figures from across the Midlands, with the ultimate goal of finding ways to regulate the use of AI in cities and highlight its negative effects around the world. The initiative comes in the wake of an approved AI data center in Midland, as well as developments in the country including the use of AI in warfare and recent comments from tech figures such as Elon Musk.

“This is going to have a huge impact,” Rosa said. “Currently, 44% of pastors in the United States are using AI to prepare their sermons. Teachers use AI to give students assignments, students use AI to answer assignments, and teachers use AI to grade assignments. This is a change, a tipping point.”

At the beginning of the meeting, Rosa shared two videos. One is about his dream city, Curitiba in his home country of Brazil, and its use of AI, and the other is a promotional video by AI company Anthropic PBC. Each person was then given the opportunity to share their general views and personal experiences regarding AI. Eight people were invited to join the group, but some were unable to attend the first meeting.

Eben, owner and managing partner of GR8 Solutions Group, was invited to discuss the engineering perspective and how AI will impact engineering. He admitted that he uses AI for some of his side projects, but also acknowledged that this has limitations due to the nature of AI.

“When you introduce AI, you’re actually interfering with peer responsibility. Peer responsibility is absolutely essential in an environment where a culture (or) society can govern itself, because self-governance is the most important thing in any government or organization,” Eben said. “If we could incorporate these transcendental (humanistic) values ​​into AI, it would make a huge difference in the world. Unfortunately, AI (unlike humans) is morally neutral.”

Bohacek, pastor of Harvest Time Church, was brought in to assess the spiritual impact of AI. Bohacek viewed AI as part of a spiritual battle between light and darkness, saying that AI is an “enemy” that humanity must overcome.

“There was a conversation with the snake in the Garden (of Eden), and I think that’s what’s happening in this situation,” Bohacek said. “Eventually, the ‘darkness’ will somehow try to throw (us) off course. Many of the answers we get (from AI) are very good and plausible, but that doesn’t mean they are always true. I believe the church needs to unite (against this).”

Mr. Alcabes, process engineering officer for the City of Midland, was invited to share his perspective on AI from an IT and City Hall perspective. Although unable to attend, he provided a written statement, which Rosa read aloud to the group.

“My personal view on what we can do to ensure the integrity of what we call ‘humanity’ is to foster more authentic human relationships,” Alcavez said in a statement. “The quality of the actual relationships we build makes the difference between checking a box and trust that can’t be faked.”

Velasquez, executive director of digital transformation at Midland University, was called on to share his perspective on how AI is impacting students and education. He said students were already forming a “pocket” of AI users, and to counter this, Midland University had established an AI committee to learn more about the use of and combating AI on campus.

“With so many people[on campus]you can’t necessarily keep track of who’s doing what and how,” Velazquez said. “So we’re coming together and starting to learn and trying to establish some best practices. I would say we’re very early in that process.”

Midland City Councilor Mr Burkholder was invited to share the government’s views on AI. He described the negative social, economic, and mental health impacts he believes AI is having on the world, but did not expect it to improve.

“They imagine that they will[monetize AI]and[then]it will no longer be about universal income and peace and harmony, but about profiteering,” Burkholder said. “We feel like we need serious conversations and guidelines to minimize that or prevent it from happening.”

In the future, Rosa hopes to expand on Midlands of Tomorrow’s research into AI by hosting on-the-street interviews with Midlanders. He is also planning a town hall in May for people to voice their concerns and ask questions.