Christian leaders are being urged to take a proactive role in shaping the future of AI, lest it falls into the wrong hands.
The Missional AI Summit in London brought together experts to explore the potential for AI to drive evangelism and mission, but also highlighted the need for Christians to be involved in defining the technology’s trajectory. “We’re at a critical moment in history where the trajectory of AI is still being shaped, and we’re in a position where we can influence it,” said David Strand, director of digital mission at the Evangelical Alliance.
AI is creating fresh opportunities for evangelism, allowing churches to reach new audiences and engage with people in innovative ways. For example, AI-powered chatbots can be used to provide pastoral care and support to people who might not feel comfortable approaching a human minister. However, the same technology can also be used to spread misinformation and propaganda, highlighting the need for Christians to be involved in its development and deployment.
The summit heard from various experts in the field, including Rev Dr Sally Nash, who spoke about the importance of Christians engaging with the values and ethics underlying AI development.
“We need to be aware of the values and principles that are being shaped by AI, and we need to be involved in those conversations,” Dr Nash said. “If we’re not, then someone else will be, and those values will be very different from our own.”
The challenge for Christians is to navigate the complex and often opaque landscape of AI development, where decisions are made by companies and governments with little regard for their values or principles.
“The tech industry is not known for its transparency or accountability, and that’s a significant challenge for Christians who want to be involved in shaping the future of AI,” said Dr Mark Elliot, a lecturer in ethics and AI at the University of Edinburgh.
What this means is that Christians need to be proactive in engaging with the values and principles that underlie AI development, and in influencing the decisions that are made about its deployment. This might involve working with tech companies to develop more transparent and accountable AI systems, or advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of all people in the development and use of AI.
