This week on the Engage Your Destiny Podcast, we step into a conversation that goes far beyond technology.

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes warfare, culture, and daily life, a deeper question emerges—what is it forming in us?

From the frontlines of Iraq to the frontlines of today’s digital battlefield, Ben Peterson shares what he witnessed in combat, the spiritual battles soldiers carry home, and why the crisis of military suicide continues to rise at an alarming rate.

But this conversation doesn’t stop at war.

We uncover how AI is changing the way people think, decide, and relate—and why this moment in history may be more significant than most realize. As nations race to advance artificial intelligence and even deploy autonomous systems, the line between human judgment and machine control is beginning to blur.

This is more than a discussion about technology.
It’s about identity, dependence, and the quiet shift happening in the human soul.

WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.

📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families-
❤️ DONATE TODAY: https://engageyourdestiny.org/suicideispreventable
📕 READ THE STORY THAT'S CHANGING LIVES: https://engageyourdestiny.org/book

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Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and why this conversation matters now
01:45 – Ben’s story: Iraq, trauma, and coming home
04:30 – The military suicide crisis explained
07:30 – The pressure on today’s military forces
10:30 – Social media, addiction, and mental health decline
13:00 – “AI is not just automation… it’s formation”
16:30 – How AI is being integrated into the military
19:30 – Autonomous weapons and AI decision-making
22:30 – The global AI race and rising risks
25:30 – The deeper spiritual implications of AI
28:30 – Dependency, identity, and digital influence
31:00 – Where we are headed in the next few years
33:30 – How to navigate AI without losing your foundation
36:00 – Final thoughts and call to awareness