Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly shaping many aspects of our daily lives, communities, and even the ways churches and faith-based organisations engage in social action. This transformation was the focus of a special event hosted by the Free Churches Group, in collaboration with Eurodiaconia (a European network of churches and Christian NGOs), and the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC).
The event, held on 13th March in London, brought together faith leaders, theologians, and social service providers to explore the intersection of AI, theology, and social action.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Revd Paul Rochester, General Secretary of the Free Churches Group, and Clotilde Clark, Deputy Secretary General of Eurodiaconia. Both speakers set the stage for a thoughtful discussion on AI and its role in social action, churches and social services.
AI and Theology: Laying Theological Foundations
The first keynote speaker, Revd Professor David Wilkinson, a theologian and Director of Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) at St John’s College, Durham, presented a theological perspective on AI. He discussed how AI fits into the broader narrative of human creativity, which is a divine gift from God. Whether in work, play, or rest, creativity is at the heart of human existence, even in a fallen world. As AI takes centre stage in global conversations, it raises critical ethical and theological questions—especially about what it means to be human and how theology can engage in these public debates.
Making allusion to the biblical story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), Prof. Wilkinson noted that some view science as a saviour, while others see it as a path to utopia. Some, however, see technology as a tool for power and division. In light of this, he encouraged faith communities not to shy away from engaging with AI, recognising that all things were made by God and that creation is inherently good. AI's potential to serve in medicine, education, and other fields should be met with gratitude, and we should also support Christians working within the AI sector.
Prof. Wilkinson also highlighted the need to view AI and creativity in the context of "new creation," drawing parallels with the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25). While AI represents a remarkable potential to support the development of human creativity, it is crucial to assess its ethical implications and the intentions behind its development. The church must remain vigilant, hopeful, and discerning as AI continues to evolve while protecting and preserving human creativity.
Opportunities and Risks: A Theological Reflection
On her part, Dr. Kathryn Pritchard provided a balanced view, discussing the duality of AI—offering both opportunities and risks. She explored whether AI empowers humanity or risks overpowering it. From a theological standpoint, she encouraged Christians to discern whether AI should serve as a friend, a partner, or a master.
As an empowering tool, AI has the potential to connect the world, support education, enhance medical interventions, and challenge economic systems. However, it also poses existential risks, amplifies cultural biases, and perpetuates inequalities. In this context, human flourishing must remain central to public discourse about AI. Dr. Pritchard urged church leaders to engage actively in these discussions, advocating for justice and a thoughtful response to AI's societal impact.
Ethics, Risks, and Opportunities in AI for Social Action
Sara Speicher's keynote focused on the ethical concerns surrounding AI and its implications for social action. She emphasised the need to address the ethical challenges of AI, particularly in areas such as data privacy, security, ownership, and the risks of misinformation, deep fakes, and surveillance. AI's environmental impact and its potential to widen the digital divide were also key concerns, especially as many systems are designed for the Western world, leaving marginalised groups further excluded.
Despite these risks, Speicher acknowledged AI's potential as an assistant in the church and faith communities. From notetaking to support with sermon writing, AI can be a valuable tool for administrative tasks. However, careful review is necessary to ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism. On a positive note, AI can also foster inclusion, as seen in the case of a German pastor using text-to-speech AI to reach a Spanish-speaking community. Nonetheless, human oversight is essential to ensure AI remains a tool for good.
Panel Discussion: AI and Marginalised Groups
The event concluded with a panel discussion on how AI is already impacting marginalised groups and what can be done to address these issues. Dr. Mundo MacDonald (Church of Scotland), Dr. Erin Green (joining online), and Dr. Kathryn Pritchard discussed how the church can advocate for ethical AI development, particularly in relation to inequality and poverty. Dr. Green highlighted the importance of transparency and addressing algorithmic bias, while Dr. Pritchard reinforced the need for churches to respond practically and theologically to the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
Dr. Erin Green also introduced the concept of "play" in AI development, emphasizing the experimental nature of digital theology. As the digital landscape advances, the need to embrace physicality and human embodiment remains essential.
To conclude, the participants agreed this was just a beginning of the discussion and churches and faith based NGOs must get more involved in monitoring the ethical use of AI.
A Hybrid Seminar on Artificial Intelligence & Ethical Use in Churches and Faith-Based Organisations recording is available to view HERE.
Photo by Pixabay.
