The use of technology, especially AI, requires a lot of energy. Should we encourage reduced use of technology/AI?

Why this question matters

This question matters because the rapid rise of AI and digital technology has real ecological costs. Data centers, cloud computing, and AI model training require vast amounts of electricity—globally, data centers account for roughly 1.5% of total electricity use, and this is projected to grow with AI expansion. In Singapore, where energy is largely generated from natural gas, increased electricity demand translates into higher carbon emissions.

At the same time, technology is deeply embedded in our daily lives—work, communication, ministry, and even church operations. It is worthwhile exploring how we can live faithfully in a world where our everyday actions have environmental consequences.

Underlying assumptions

This question often carries two assumptions:

• Technology is inherently harmfulThis assumes that reducing technology use is always more faithful. But Scripture does not portray human creativity or tool-making as evil. Technology is part of humanity’s cultural mandate.
• Efficiency is inherently goodOn the other hand, some assume that because AI can optimize systems, its expansion is naturally good. This overlooks the moral dimension of how and why we use technology.

Both assumptions are incomplete. The bible calls us to neither rejection nor uncritical embrace, but wise stewardship.

What Scripture says

From the beginning, God entrusts humanity with responsibility over creation:

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion…’” (Genesis 1:28, ESV)

Dominion here is not domination, but responsible governance under God’s authority. Genesis 2 deepens this:

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15, ESV)

“Work” (cultivate) and “keep” (protect) together form the heart of creation care. The usage of technology—including AI—is part of our stewardship mandate: we must be responsible in using what God has entrusted to us.

Scripture also warns against unrestrained human ambition detached from God. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9) shows how technological capability (brick-making, city-building) can be misused for self-glorification rather than God’s purposes.

Finally, the New Testament calls us to live wisely: not conforming to darkness, but using every God-given opportunity to honor Christ in an evil age.

“Look carefully then how you walk… making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15–16, ESV)

This includes how we use resources—time, energy, and creation itself.

A Creation Care perspective on AI and technology

Rather than asking, “Should we reduce technology use altogether?”, a more faithful question is:How can we use technology in ways that reflect our love for God, neighbor, and creation?

Here are three guiding principles:

1. Practise restraint and simplicity

Not all tech use is necessary. Excessive streaming, redundant cloud storage, and constant device upgrades contribute to unnecessary energy demand and e-waste. Christians can model countercultural restraint—choosing sufficiency over excess.

2. Pursue faithfulness in AI usage

AI can serve creation care: already it is being used in optimizing energy grids, reducing food waste, improving climate modeling, and enhancing disaster response. As we work heartily for the Lord, we can harness AI to help us in our stewardship mandate.

3. Consider climate justice

Energy-intensive technologies disproportionately affect vulnerable communities through climate change. Committed to loving our neighbor (Mark 12:31), we should consider the downstream effects of our digital consumption.

So, should we encourage reduced use of AI?

Yes—and no.

• Yes, in the sense of reducing wasteful, convenience-driven, or excessive use that contributes little to human or environmental flourishing.
• No, in the sense of rejecting technology altogether. That would disregard the potential of technology to help us better steward creation.

The call is discernment:

• Use less where use is careless or frivolous.
• Use wisely where use can heal and restore.

A pastoral encouragement

If you feel tension or even guilt about your tech use, remember: creation care is not about perfection, but faithfulness. The gospel reminds us that Christ is reconciling “all things, whether on earth or in heaven” (Colossians 1:20, ESV). Our small acts of stewardship—how we consume, create, and use technology—participate in that larger redemption story.

You are not called to withdraw from the world, but to engage it differently—with wisdom, humility, and hope.