Executive Summary
AI & the Church Summit: A Confluence of Faith and Technology
In mid-August, Seattle played host to an unprecedented event—the "AI & the Church Summit." This ecumenical gathering brought together leaders from the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PC(USA)) to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and Christian ministry. The summit, held at Epiphany Parish in Seattle and the Microsoft campus, was a three-day deep dive into how AI is reshaping the landscape of faith, ethics, and community.
The summit's agenda was as diverse as its participants. The event kicked off with an opening keynote by Bob Johansen, who set the tone by discussing the role of augmented faith leaders in a world increasingly characterized by anxiety, nonlinearity, and incomprehensibility. Johansen’s presentation highlighted the need for church leaders to engage with technological advancements proactively, rather than reactively. He emphasized that the Church must not only understand AI but also harness it to foster faith in a rapidly changing world.
One of the summit's key themes was the ethical implications of AI—a topic that resonated deeply with attendees. Father Paolo Benanti, an Italian Catholic priest and advisor to Pope Francis on technology ethics, delivered a powerful keynote titled "Navigating the AI Revolution: A Call for Ethical Stewardship." Benanti’s presentation underscored the Church's responsibility to question how technology, particularly AI, shapes society. He urged Christian leaders to advocate for justice and inclusivity in a digital age where power dynamics can be subtly but profoundly altered by algorithms.
Benanti’s keynote was followed by panel discussions that brought together theologians, ethicists, and technology experts. In one panel, Noreen Herzfeld, a theologian and computer scientist, alongside Ben Olson and Paolo Benanti, explored the concept of incarnation in a world increasingly influenced by AI. They discussed the potential for AI to impact human identity and spirituality, raising questions about what it means to be human in an era of machines capable of mimicking human thought and behavior.
The summit also featured practical sessions designed to equip church leaders with the tools and knowledge to integrate AI into their ministries. Concurrent talks included discussions on how churches can serve the needs of tech workers, as well as the use of games for evangelization and spiritual formation. These sessions highlighted the need for the Church to not only understand AI but to actively participate in its development and application in ways that align with Christian values.
A portion of the summit took place at Microsoft's campus, where participants were introduced to AI initiatives that could be leveraged for social good. Microsoft’s Chief Data Scientist Juan Lavista Ferres presented on "AI for Good," showcasing projects that use AI to address global challenges such as climate change, health disparities, and humanitarian crises. This session reinforced the idea that AI, when guided by ethical principles, can be a powerful force for positive change in the world.
The final day of the summit was marked by a poignant charge delivered by Patricia Lyons, a faculty member at Virginia Theological Seminary. In her address, "Our Baptismal Call in an AI World," Lyons called on Christian leaders to embrace their role as stewards of technology. She argued that the Church has a unique opportunity to shape the ethical framework within which AI develops, ensuring that it serves the common good rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.
Participants left the summit with a mix of excitement and caution. One attendee reflected, “The summit energized us to do more of what we have already been doing—taking tech into our spaces—to be the thorn in the side of Paul”. Another participant expressed a desire for the Church to lean into the ability to let hierarchies fall, highlighting the potential of AI to disrupt traditional structures in favor of more inclusive practices.
The "AI & the Church Summit" was more than just a conference; it was a clarion call for Christian leaders to engage deeply with the technological transformations shaping our world. The ecumenical nature of the gathering underscored the universal relevance of the issues at hand, transcending denominational boundaries. As AI continues to evolve, the Church’s role in guiding its ethical development will be crucial. This summit in Seattle was a significant first step in that direction, bringing together faith and technology in a dialogue that will undoubtedly continue to grow in importance in the years to come.
AI & the Church Summit: A Confluence of Faith and Technology
In mid-August, Seattle played host to an unprecedented event—the "AI & the Church Summit." This ecumenical gathering brought together leaders from the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PC(USA)) to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and Christian ministry. The summit, held at Epiphany Parish in Seattle and the Microsoft campus, was a three-day deep dive into how AI is reshaping the landscape of faith, ethics, and community.
The summit's agenda was as diverse as its participants. The event kicked off with an opening keynote by Bob Johansen, who set the tone by discussing the role of augmented faith leaders in a world increasingly characterized by anxiety, nonlinearity, and incomprehensibility. Johansen’s presentation highlighted the need for church leaders to engage with technological advancements proactively, rather than reactively. He emphasized that the Church must not only understand AI but also harness it to foster faith in a rapidly changing world.
One of the summit's key themes was the ethical implications of AI—a topic that resonated deeply with attendees. Father Paolo Benanti, an Italian Catholic priest and advisor to Pope Francis on technology ethics, delivered a powerful keynote titled "Navigating the AI Revolution: A Call for Ethical Stewardship." Benanti’s presentation underscored the Church's responsibility to question how technology, particularly AI, shapes society. He urged Christian leaders to advocate for justice and inclusivity in a digital age where power dynamics can be subtly but profoundly altered by algorithms.
Benanti’s keynote was followed by panel discussions that brought together theologians, ethicists, and technology experts. In one panel, Noreen Herzfeld, a theologian and computer scientist, alongside Ben Olson and Paolo Benanti, explored the concept of incarnation in a world increasingly influenced by AI. They discussed the potential for AI to impact human identity and spirituality, raising questions about what it means to be human in an era of machines capable of mimicking human thought and behavior.
The summit also featured practical sessions designed to equip church leaders with the tools and knowledge to integrate AI into their ministries. Concurrent talks included discussions on how churches can serve the needs of tech workers, as well as the use of games for evangelization and spiritual formation. These sessions highlighted the need for the Church to not only understand AI but to actively participate in its development and application in ways that align with Christian values.
A portion of the summit took place at Microsoft's campus, where participants were introduced to AI initiatives that could be leveraged for social good. Microsoft’s Chief Data Scientist Juan Lavista Ferres presented on "AI for Good," showcasing projects that use AI to address global challenges such as climate change, health disparities, and humanitarian crises. This session reinforced the idea that AI, when guided by ethical principles, can be a powerful force for positive change in the world.
The final day of the summit was marked by a poignant charge delivered by Patricia Lyons, a faculty member at Virginia Theological Seminary. In her address, "Our Baptismal Call in an AI World," Lyons called on Christian leaders to embrace their role as stewards of technology. She argued that the Church has a unique opportunity to shape the ethical framework within which AI develops, ensuring that it serves the common good rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.
Participants left the summit with a mix of excitement and caution. One attendee reflected, “The summit energized us to do more of what we have already been doing—taking tech into our spaces—to be the thorn in the side of Paul”. Another participant expressed a desire for the Church to lean into the ability to let hierarchies fall, highlighting the potential of AI to disrupt traditional structures in favor of more inclusive practices.
The "AI & the Church Summit" was more than just a conference; it was a clarion call for Christian leaders to engage deeply with the technological transformations shaping our world. The ecumenical nature of the gathering underscored the universal relevance of the issues at hand, transcending denominational boundaries. As AI continues to evolve, the Church’s role in guiding its ethical development will be crucial. This summit in Seattle was a significant first step in that direction, bringing together faith and technology in a dialogue that will undoubtedly continue to grow in importance in the years to come.
