Is AI good or evil?

AI is the buzzword everyone is talking about right now. Companies across every industry are trying to integrate AI into their systems. While artificial intelligence has existed for years, it was brought into the mainstream in 2022 when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT to the public.

I remember the first time I used it - I was genuinely in awe. I could ask it almost anything and get an instant response. It felt far more convenient than doing a Google search. ChatGPT gained over one million users in its first week.

I wanted to make a career pivot, and my mentor advised me to explore AI. I made the transition and have been working in AI data training for the past year two years, helping develop and refine AI models for some of the world's leading tech companies. Through this experience, I've become increasingly interested in AI's potential and the questions surrounding its impact on society.

The Good: AI's Potential to Transform Our Lives

I believe AI has many positive applications. As a lawyer, I can see how it can review legal documents more quickly, summarise lengthy case files and assist with legal research. Tasks that once took hours can potentially be completed in minutes, allowing professionals to focus on work that requires human judgement.

The benefits extend far beyond the legal profession. In healthcare, AI can help clinicians analyse medical images and identify patterns that support diagnoses. In education, it can personalise learning and make knowledge more accessible. For small businesses, it can automate administrative tasks and help people achieve more with limited resources.

AI is also opening up new creative possibilities, allowing people to generate images, create videos, compose music and bring ideas to life without necessarily having extensive technical skills.

AI has the potential to make knowledge, creativity and opportunity more accessible to more people.

But while I'm excited about these possibilities, I don't believe we should ignore the risks.

The Bad: The Risks We Cannot Ignore

One major concern is the impact on employment. As companies automate tasks, some roles may become redundant while others change significantly. Although AI will create new opportunities, we cannot assume that everyone affected will automatically find alternative employment. Workers may need to retrain, and employers and governments must consider how to support people through this transition.

Another concern is misinformation. AI can generate convincing text, images, audio and videos that are entirely fabricated. Deepfakes can be used to spread false information, damage reputations and facilitate fraud. As these technologies become more sophisticated, distinguishing between what is real and what is artificial may become increasingly difficult.

Then there's bias and discrimination. AI models learn from data, which can reflect existing prejudices and inequalities. If these biases aren't identified and addressed, AI systems can produce discriminatory outcomes. Imagine an automated recruitment system unfairly disadvantaging candidates from certain backgrounds or a healthcare system that performs less accurately for particular demographic groups.

As someone who works in AI data training, I understand that developing these systems involves more than simply building a model. The quality of the data, how the model is trained, how it is evaluated and how it performs in the real world all matter.

AI isn't automatically objective or unbiased simply because it's powered by technology.

We must also consider privacy and overreliance on AI. Sharing confidential documents or sensitive personal information with AI tools without understanding how that information is handled can create serious risks.

Equally, it's tempting to accept an AI-generated answer without questioning it. However, AI can produce inaccurate information, invent sources and present incorrect answers with confidence. If we stop thinking critically and simply accept what it tells us, we risk weakening our own judgement.

AI should help us think, not replace our ability to think.

So, Is AI Good or Evil?

I don't believe AI is inherently good or evil. Its impact depends largely on how it's developed, who controls it and how it's used.

The same technology that helps a doctor identify a potential health problem could be used to spread medical misinformation. The same technology that helps a small business become more efficient could be used to create sophisticated scams.

AI can empower people and create opportunities, but it can also be used to manipulate, discriminate and cause harm.

The responsibility doesn't lie solely with individual users. Companies developing AI must build systems responsibly, test them thoroughly and be transparent about their limitations. Governments and regulators also have a role in establishing safeguards and holding organisations accountable.

This is where AI governance becomes particularly important.

AI governance involves the policies, processes and controls that help ensure AI is developed and used responsibly. It addresses issues such as fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, security and risk management.

In simple terms, it's about ensuring that as we advance technologically, we don't lose sight of our responsibilities to people and society.

We shouldn't have to choose between innovation and responsibility. We need both.

Shaping the Future of AI

We are witnessing a significant technological shift, and the decisions we make today will influence how AI shapes our future.

I'm excited about AI's potential to improve how we work, learn, create and solve problems. But excitement alone isn't enough. We must ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions and address the risks alongside the benefits.

I don't believe we should fear AI simply because it's new or powerful. Equally, we shouldn't embrace every development without questioning its implications.

Instead, we should approach AI with curiosity, critical thinking and a willingness to learn. We need to understand what it can do, recognise its limitations and remain conscious of our responsibilities.

Ultimately, AI is a tool that can be used to build or destroy, empower or exploit.

The question isn't simply whether AI is good or evil. It's whether we are prepared to take responsibility for the technology we're creating and the future we want it to shape.

Because the future of AI isn't just about what machines can do. It's about what we, as human beings, choose to do with them. 🌍

Sometimes the Issue Is Not You, It's Your Environment 🌱

In order for a seed to grow, it needs the right environment. It needs good soil, sunlight and water. If the environment isn't right, the seed will struggle to grow to its full potential.

That's how I see humans. We are like seeds, and the environments we find ourselves in can greatly affect the trajectory of our lives.

For many years, I felt I was planted in bad soil. I was raised to have ambition and aim high, which is quite common for those born to immigrant parents. However, the environment I grew up in didn't always reflect those values. I was taught to take education seriously, but at the schools I attended, many people didn't value education. I was called a "boffin" (nerd), and it was said to me in a negative way. Behaving badly or failing was treated as a badge of honour. I never understood why anyone wanted to fail school. The way my mum raised me, failure wasn't even an option. To be honest, I struggled to relate to the mindsets of many of the people around me.

I knew I was a misfit.

I've always been a dreamer. I knew I wanted more for myself. I was surrounded by people who lacked ambition, and I witnessed others becoming involved in criminal lifestyles and struggling with drug addiction. I knew I didn't want to become a product of my environment or another negative statistic. I wanted a different life, one filled with opportunities and achievements beyond what I saw around me.

Interestingly, I remember being chosen to go on Gifted and Talented trips with students from other schools. Being around students who shared my academic interests made me feel more normal. I wasn't the odd one out for taking education seriously.

Sometimes, you can spend so long feeling different that you begin to question yourself. But what if the problem isn't who you are? What if you simply haven't found the right environment?

I experienced friendships in which my ambition, personal growth, and opinions sometimes made them uncomfortable. I was insulted for expressing certain views; I was told my goals were unrealistic. When I celebrated black excellence, I was told that I was arrogant and that it was offensive. Even when I made connections with like-minded, ambitious women, it became an issue in some of these friendships.

One of these 'friends' once said to me that "networking is using people", which I wholeheartedly disagree with. At university, I was taught that networking was necessary, and we were encouraged to start building connections early. Even my mentor kept emphasising its importance to me. I see networking as an opportunity to build connections, unlock opportunities and to grow.

At times, I felt as though I was expected to shrink myself, even as I worked towards becoming a better version of myself. Eventually, I had to accept that some friendships were no longer right for me and let them go. Not every friendship is meant to accompany you through every season of your life. Sometimes, your values, mindsets and aspirations simply no longer align.

I'm fortunate to have friendships with like-minded women who encourage me to grow. We attend empowerment/networking events, discuss our goals, pray together and share business ideas.

What I appreciate most is that my current friends are secure in themselves and their own journeys. There's no sense of competition, envy or jealousy when one of us grows or achieves something. Instead, we celebrate one another, share opportunities and genuinely want to see each other succeed.

Most importantly, I can be myself.

I don't have to monitor what I say or make myself smaller to keep others comfortable. My friends encourage me, inspire me and remind me never to doubt myself or what I'm capable of achieving. I'm grateful for these relationships because they've shown me how empowering it is to surround yourself with people who genuinely want to see you thrive.

I didn't need to become a different person to fit in. I needed to find people with whom I could be myself.

I've also had the opportunity to network with Americans, and one thing that stood out to me was their level of ambition. Their mindset around success and what they believed was possible was on another level. When I shared my dreams, rather than thinking they were unrealistic, they told me I was thinking too small and challenged me to aim even higher. It made me realise how much the people around you can influence the size of your dreams.

I grew up attending a traditional Ghanaian church, and I'm grateful for the principles and values it instilled in me. These included the importance of aiming high, pursuing a professional career, marriage before having children, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people.

However, I never really felt as though I fully belonged. There weren't many people my age, and I struggled to connect with those around me. Being Ghanaian brought another challenge: I was ridiculed for not speaking Twi, even though it isn't my language. Because I don't speak it, I was made to feel excluded. There were also expectations of how I should be. During a prayer session, I was scolded for not praying out loud, despite praying quietly to myself. I was made to feel as though I was doing something wrong simply because I expressed my faith differently.

My experience at my current church is very different. I'm part of a more diverse church where I've made amazing friends and found a great community. I feel comfortable being myself and can pray quietly without feeling pressured to pray in a particular way. I'm grateful for what I learned growing up, but I'm equally grateful to have found a church where I feel connected and accepted.

Our work environments can also affect us. I've worked in toxic environments where I was constantly micromanaged, overworked, made to feel as though I'm not good enough, or not paid what I was worth. These experiences can make you question your abilities, even when you're capable of so much more. It is difficult to thrive in these environments.

In contrast, working in an environment where you're respected, trusted to work autonomously, fairly compensated and appreciated for your contributions can make all the difference. That's my experience now. These conditions give you room to grow and reach your potential.

Sometimes, you don't need to work harder to prove your worth. You need to be in an environment that recognises it.

One piece of advice I often hear from successful people I look up to is to surround yourself with the right people. The people around you influence your mindset, confidence and what you believe is possible. Some environments encourage your growth, while others leave you questioning your ambitions and doubting yourself.

Surround yourself with people who encourage your growth, celebrate your achievements and allow you to be yourself. You deserve to be in environments where you can flourish rather than feel the need to make yourself smaller.

Looking at my life today, I'm much happier being in environments and around people I am aligned with. I have friendships where I can be my authentic self, a church community where I feel connected, and spaces where my ambition and desire for growth are encouraged. I've even had some big opportunities come my way. I've realised that I didn't need to change who I was; I needed to be around the right people and in the right environments.

I'm multifaceted, and I love that about myself. I enjoy reading, learning about history and technology, discussing politics, debating, listening to orchestral music, going to the gym and expressing my many opinions. All these things contribute to who I am, and I don't want to be anyone else.

For too long, I think many of us have felt pressure to tone down parts of ourselves to make others comfortable. But I refuse to hide my interests, downplay my ambitions or silence my opinions to gain acceptance.

I will protect this version of myself at all costs. I have spent decades working on myself to become who I am today and will continue to grow to become the best version of myself.

I love the woman I am becoming, and I wouldn't change her for the world.

Sometimes, you don't need to change who you are. You need to find the right soil to grow.

Sometimes, the issue isn't you. It's the environment you're trying to grow in. 🌱

2819 comes to London

A couple of years ago, I discovered Philip Anthony Mitchell on YouTube. What I liked about him was his very direct preaching style; he doesn’t sugarcoat things or tell you what you want to hear. He tells you what you need to hear. Everything he preaches is biblically based, and he’s not afraid to speak truth regardless of how people feel about it. One thing about me — I love outspoken people (as I’m quite outspoken myself lol). Since then, I became a digital disciple. I said to myself that one day I would fly to Atlanta to see him preach in person. I had even discussed this with someone from my church who had been thinking the same thing.

Last November, I saw on the 2819 Instagram page that there would be a summit in London on 1 February 2026. I was over the moon — I started messaging my friend to let her know, but before I could finish typing my message, she had already messaged me about it. We were determined to make it to this event by any means necessary! We were thrilled. Luckily, on the day the tickets were released, she was able to secure tickets for us. I was so happy that the event was happening at ExCeL London, which is local to me, and on top of that, the event was free! This was perfect. Many people from my church also got tickets.

When 1 February 2026 came, I was fired up. We got there a couple of hours before the event and were near the front of the queue. I couldn’t believe it was finally happening — I would finally see Philip Anthony Mitchell preach live without having to travel to Atlanta. While in the queue, we even prayed that when we got inside the arena, we would get seats near the front in the middle, and guess what? God answered that prayer, and we had a perfect view. As soon as we walked inside the arena, it felt so surreal. I actually felt like I was in the 2819 Church in Atlanta, as the setup was identical to what I have been watching on YouTube every week.

The praise and worship was amazing. I loved the songs they sang, including Jehovah Gibbor and Marvellous (I have been playing Marvellous on repeat). When I saw Philip Anthony Mitchell on the stage, I was so excited!!  His message was about the book of Jude. Pastor Philip emphasised that we do not have much time left and that we need to be serious about our faith and get right with Christ. We need to speak up and contend for the faith; we can’t be scared to “offend people” or be passive, otherwise other religions and ideologies that do not align with Christianity will continue taking over the UK. If we are not careful, Christians in the UK will be persecuted (which has already started happening). We have a duty to spread the gospel and defend Christianity against worldly movements. This message really moved me, I was locked in the entire time. I genuinely don’t think anyone in that arena left the same — it made all of us realise there’s a lot of work for us Christians to do. 

I am so grateful to God for allowing me to have this life-changing experience and for being able to share this with my sisters in Christ. For years, I had been praying to God for Christian sisterhood. I wanted a group of mature Christian women who could provide me with wise counsel, challenge me to grow closer to Christ, and lift me up in prayer. God answered that prayer for me (“Walk with the wise and become wise" Proverbs 13:20). We can’t walk on this Christian journey alone. God has been showing me the importance of community and being in the right environment for growth. That is why I'm also grateful for my church community. Though I’ve spent most of my life in church since childhood, ARC Forest Gate is the only church I have ever felt fully connected to. I remember praying to God about what I wanted in a church, and ARC ticked every single box. I will forever be grateful to my girl Shak for inviting me to this church. Since joining the church, my faith has grown more than ever before. I believe it is alignment, as both ARC and 2819 have been journeying through the book of Matthew in the ESV version during their sermons. I am excited to continue walking with Christ in this community, to grow in boldness in my faith and to spread the gospel. This season has been full of answered prayers, love, joy, and peace.

IShowSpeed Africa Tour

As a millennial, I only became aware of the streaming world about a year ago. What I found fascinating is that young men in their early 20s were becoming millionaires purely from live-streaming their day-to-day lives. Two popular streamers I see mentioned a lot are Kai Cenat and Speed. I didn't realise how influential these young men were. I had seen clips of Speed in China and Europe, where huge crowds of people were following him and screaming his name. I was shocked; in my eyes, he was getting more attention than most A-list celebrities. I wondered why he was so famous.

Recently, Speed did a tour of Africa, visiting 20 countries. As an African myself, I decided to tune in to parts of the tour. It was very entertaining and educational. Seeing how he was received all over Africa, and the large crowds he drew from people of all ages, showed how much influence he has. I had assumed his audience was mostly Gen Z, but it clearly included people of all ages.

From the Egyptian pyramids, to the Maasai tribe in Kenya, to the AFCON finals in Morocco, to Speed receiving a massage in Ghana while the women chanted "Kurya Kurya Kurugengen," it was an epic tour. What surprised me was the number of online clips of people (mainly Americans) who were shocked by what they saw in Africa; they had believed the whole continent was nothing but dirt, sand, mud huts, and poverty. I was thinking: in this day and age of the internet and YouTube, how did they not know that Africa has cities, especially with YouTubers such as Wode Maya, who has been showcasing Africa on YouTube for many years?

Speed single-handedly shattered many negative stereotypes about the African continent and introduced a new audience to its numerous cultures. He took his time to embrace the local people in each country he visited and immersed himself in various cultural practices such as naming ceremonies, cultural dances, eating local dishes, and learning words in different languages. I liked that he was open to learning about these cultures and did not judge them negatively.

One downside of the tour was the racist abuse he suffered in North Africa. To be honest, it didn't surprise me; my parents previously lived in North Africa and told me about the racism they experienced. While at a football stadium in Algeria, objects were thrown at him by football fans, and he was called the n-word. I understand not all North Africans are racist, but there is a lot of racism in those countries towards Black people. For example, during the Morocco vs Senegal AFCON final, Morocco kept stealing the Senegalese goalkeeper's towels. Morocco also allocated only 2,850 seats out of 69,500 (just 4%) to Senegalese fans. Even the Moroccan reporters walked out of the press conference when the Senegalese coach came in. One of the worst things, in my opinion, was a Moroccan official breaching protocol by not handing the trophy directly to the Senegalese team. That is why I am glad Senegal beat them and won.

The tour shows how diverse Africa is, with its many ethnic groups, languages, and cultures. Africans are not monolithic. I am glad that the beauty of this continent has been showcased to the world. I’m also glad that years of negative propaganda have been challenged by this young 21-year-old and his team. I’m sure the number of visitors to the continent will increase dramatically because of this tour. If you are African or of African descent, it is something to be proud of. I am looking forward to when he does part 2 of the African tour.