Artificial Intelligence: Risks & Rewards

“A Cyber Version of George Washington’s Masonic Apron” AI-generated art by Brian Mattocks

“When using new technologies like AI, it’s best to keep a clear mind about what it is and isn’t. With great power comes great responsibility, after all.” – Coursera.com

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the theory and development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that historically required human intelligence, such as recognizing speech, making decisions and identifying patterns, according to a definition from
Coursera, a global online learning platform.

Today, the term “AI” describes a wide range of technologies that power many of the services and goods we use every day – from apps that recommend TV shows to AI chatbots (a computer program designed to simulate human conversation with
users) that provide customer support in real time.

AI even offers opportunities and implications for Freemasonry, particularly in terms of aligning with core Masonic values like enlightenment, knowledge and growth, said Brother Freddy Lebron, EurekaWest Shore Lodge No. 302, Mechanicsburg.

Brother Phillip Morris, Palestine Roxborough Lodge No. 135, Lafayette Hill, is managing director for a cybersecurity firm that specializes in testing and deploying AI projects for clients around the world. He advises them how to build and deploy AI technology in their businesses to get things done more efficiently, while at the same time, safeguarding their personal information.

“I love this type of work – helping people make complex problems simpler,” Phil said. “That’s my MO in life.”

AI is well regarded for its ability to summarize and brainstorm information, he said. For instance, a member could ask AI to condense an article
about lodges in Canada in order to create a presentation on the topic for a meeting.

“Prompting, or the specific way you ask an AI model a question, is very important,” Phil said. “If you say, ‘Give me examples of a mentorship program for men 21 to 29 years old,’ that’s considered a prompt. There are ways to ask the model questions to get more accurate answers. We’ve been trained to think of a computer as always right, but you have to work with it to help it help you.”

Today, AI is prevalent across many industries. Automating tasks that don’t require human intervention saves money and time and can reduce the risk of human error. For example, AI-powered robots could support surgeries close to highly delicate organs or tissue to mitigate blood loss or infection.

AI has a range of applications with the potential to transform how we work and our daily lives, Coursera said. While many of these transformations are exciting, like virtual assistants and self-driving cars, they also pose some potential risks.

In recent years, the field of Masonic studies has seen a growing interest in utilizing AI to explore and understand the mysteries of Freemasonry, according to a recent article in The Square magazine (published independently of all Grand Lodges), which brings in-depth articles on all aspects of Freemasonry written by leading Masonic writers.

With the increasing role of AI in our lives, Freemasonry faces new opportunities and challenges in maintaining its traditions and values in a digital age.

Like other industries, AI has given us new tools which can make Masonic work more efficient and effective, like streamlining administrative tasks, making dayto-day functions more efficient, according to The Square. Examples include automated scheduling, digital record-keeping, using chatbots to answer routine member questions and communicating with Masons around the world to exchange thoughts and ideas.

Freddy Lebron

It can also play a pivotal role in engaging members by helping to make interactions more accessible and personal, the article said. AI-driven tools, for example, could help tailor messages to members’ interests, personalize event recommendations or provide digital resources that simplify the process of learning about Masonic teachings.

Such a practice, however, also entails increased risks for the lodge or the craft as a whole, according to The Square editor Brother Nick Broadway. If not used carefully, it could limit the development of true brotherly relationships that only personal contacts can really create and develop.

Freddy's Abstract AI Art

Freddy’s Abstract AI Art

Despite the increasing reliance on technology, it’s crucial for Freemasonry to maintain and prioritize human connections, the website Masonicfind.com said. The core values of Freemasonry, such as fellowship and mutual support, stem from cultivating strong interpersonal relationships. Establishing a balance between embracing technology and nurturing human bonds will remain a key challenge in the future.

“It’s up to us whether we will use the tools productively or, by remaining in old methods, contribute to the shrinking of the craft,” Nick said.

Given the importance of ethics in Freemasonry, it’s essential to address how AI aligns
with our values, Freddy added.

“Transparency, accountability and ethical use of AI are critical,” Freddy said. “Any implementation of AI must be done in a way that upholds Masonic principles of honesty, integrity and the pursuit of truth.”

Using AI In the Lodge

Freemasonry has experienced challenges in recruiting and retaining new members in recent years, according to Ex Libris Academy, a dedicated Masonic Research Academy that aims to shape the future of Freemasonry in the digital age. There is a lack of awareness and understanding of Freemasonry, and a perception that the organization is outdated or exclusionary.

Leveraging the power of AI in Freemasonry can help members to better analyze membership trends and patterns and improve recruitment and retention efforts. By examining historical membership data, organizations can gain insights into factors such as age demographics, geographic distribution and reasons for joining or leaving the fraternity. This knowledge can help tailor recruitment strategies and outreach efforts to better resonate with potential candidates.

Another way AI could help Freemasonry is by using it to support mentorship programs. Through data analysis, AI can help orchestrate mentor-mentee matching processes, factoring in variables such as personality traits, learning styles, personal interests and even communication preferences, according to The Square.

AI-driven tools could expand our outreach, primarily to younger audiences, and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the fraternity. Personalized learning plans could help tailor educational materials to individual needs, while promoting continuous improvement across the fraternity, Ex Libris states. Virtual lodges and ceremonies could enable members to participate in meetings and events globally.

Privacy will always remain a concern when it comes to utilizing AI tools in Freemasonry. Freemasons in general are more discreet, Freddy said, but sometimes, you need to adapt and move forward. For example, certain information that is meant to be “member only” should not be ingested into AI as data.

Of equal importance, any information you put into these models can be used and extracted upon, like you’re sharing it with the internet, Phil said. For that reason, he wouldn’t suggest inputting monthly lodge expenses and asking AI to return a detailed itemized list. “In a rush to talk about all the cool things AI can do, a lot of people don’t pay attention to how to use it responsibly,” he said.

“In terms of writing emails and outreach, AI is great,” he added. “Sometimes, the AI model will get something factually wrong. You will want a couple of people to look at the information and make sure it’s factual first, before you share it.”

Phil said he is always striving to educate himself and stay on top of AI technology,
which is constantly evolving.

“Just as we use the web every day now, we’ll be using AI forever,” Phil said. “When Microsoft Word came out, people couldn’t think of writing something without it. That’s what AI will be like going forward. We won’t even notice it. Down the road, you’ll probably use AI to plan your kid’s wedding or your business travel and vacation.”

Beyond the Lodge

Nick, with The Square, believes AI is a technological advancement for “the good of all mankind.” He anticipates it will generate more jobs than it replaces, and these jobs will be highorder jobs, creative and entrepreneurial.

“I started working with personal computers years ago and have seen their development, which created more jobs than they replaced,” he said. “I worked through the internet age and now the AI age. As individuals, we should embrace the current AI tools, using them as personal assistants to compress time.”

Brother Brian Mattocks, P.M., Cassia Mt. Horeb Lodge No. 273, Ardmore, said he believes there is no genuine “artificial intelligence,” but rather what are called “Large Language Models” akin to Siri or Alexa.

“It’s great for things like recalling lots of information quickly and generally having it correctly identify what you’re asking for, retrieving and parsing a matching result in the language of your choosing,” he said. “That being said, it’s incapable right now of evaluating data for correctness, thus exposing errors. They are just now working on variations of ChatGPT that can attempt to reason.”

Chat GPT prompt and answer

However, as AI tools get more efficient, the human labor requirement decreases significantly. Unlike Nick, Brian expects the diminishing value of human labor will likely mean increased income inequality and social unrest.

smiling man with blue background

pmm-2024-10-23-blue suite and tie – smiling1

Phil Morris

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Brian Mattocks

An information technology professional by day, Freddy uses different commands with AI to create Masonic-themed art images that he shares on his social media accounts. The artwork has inspired him to move on to actual painting. He has produced 27 paintings
so far, half of them being Masonic-themed works.

“AI can be something controversial because, based on the data you feed it, it will generate information, pictures, audio, you name it,” he said. “Anything that’s already there, they can replicate or improve upon. For some artists – if they don’t know their material is being used – it can seem a little bit unethical.”

The worlds of AI and Freemasonry are already intersecting, even if people aren’t aware of it, Freddy said. Amity, an app for Freemasons, has begun integrating AI into their platform to help the different Grand Lodges. Amity provides information from over 300 Grand Lodges and over 52,000 lodges and other Masonic bodies. Brothers can use Amity to find lodges anywhere in the world, check membership status in real time, log attendance at lodge and learn from its Masonic Media Library, which includes top blogs and podcasts from around the world.

While its full effects still remain to be seen, the immediate direct impact of AI on Freemasonry is likely to be minimal, Brian said. The technology may facilitate member engagement or streamline some administrative processes, as mentioned by others, but the core Masonic experience isn’t likely to change.

“Being a Freemason is much like being in a band,” Brian said. “Everyone plays their part, and what emerges is music. AI gives everyone one of the best musical
instruments, so there’s bound to be a lot of noise. But the harmonies and melodies of Freemasons will rise above the noise. A well-tuned, well-practiced band that cares for each other will create great music, even in times of difficulty.”