Donovan M. Neal's Blog

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” — Proverbs 18:21

Language is not neutral. It names, it frames, it shapes how we perceive the world. In Genesis, the first task God gives Adam is to name the animals. Words are not just descriptors—they’re definers. And in our present moment, the words we use to talk about artificial intelligence are quietly—and dangerously—redefining what it means to be human.

This is not merely a semantic problem. It is a spiritual one.

“Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And God said, ‘Let there be light…’”

— Genesis 1:2–3

Back in February 2023, the U.S. Copyright Office handed down a decision that, at the time, seemed reasonable. In the case of Zarya of the Dawn, the office ruled that while the author of the comic could claim rights to the written text and arrangement, she could not claim copyright over the images created using the AI tool Midjourney.

Why? Beca...

The Sacred Act of Making

“In the beginning, God created…” Genesis opens not with philosophy or command, but with creation. The very first thing Scripture tells us about God is that He makes. He brings forth. He speaks reality into existence from nothing—the ultimate act of authorship.

And to be human is to reflect that creative nature, not merely as workers punching time clocks, but as image-bearers of the Divine Artisan. We are the only creatures on earth who look at a blank canva...

Part 2 – The Crisis of Creativity: Can Machines Truly Create?

The Sacred Act of Making

“In the beginning, God created…” Genesis opens not with philosophy or command, but with creation. The very first thing Scripture tells us about God is that He makes. He brings forth. He speaks reality into existence from nothing—the ultimate act of authorship.

And to be human is to reflect that creative nature, not merely as workers punching time clocks, but as image-bearers of the Divine Artisan....

The recent copyright ruling regarding AI-generated art reveals more than just legal technicalities—it exposes a fundamental philosophical divide about the nature of creativity, authorship, and what it means to be made in God’s image. As Christians engaging with emerging technologies like Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion, we must recognize the deeper theological implications at stake.

When the U.S. Copyright Office ruled on Kris Kasht...

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Hey everyone,

I’m excited to share with you the launch of my new book, “Hutari: Scion of Prophet and Crown,” the first in a new fantasy series. This book is a passion project, years in the making, and I’m thrilled to finally invite you to explore its world.

What is “Hutari” About?

At its core, “Hutari” is a story about dest...

Greetings, dear readers!

It’s been a while since I last reached out, but believe me when I say it’s been for a good reason. I’ve been hard at work crafting an epic fantasy adventure that I am thrilled to share with you today.

Without further ado, I am excited to introduce the new back jacket blurb for “Hutari” – a story of destiny, darkness, and the courage to face one’s cosmic fate.

The Realms Teeter on the Brink of Eternal Darkness.

From birth, Prince Armani was blessed wit...

Balancing Copyright, Compensation, and Complexity in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, With Insights from Medical Research Ethics

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) development, a critical conversation revolves around the reimbursement of individuals whose copyrighted materials contribute to AI training datasets. This discussion not only mirrors the complexities faced in debates over reparations but also draws parallels with ethical considerations from the He...