Starter Guide for Asia Churches to Embark on AI: Navigating the 5Ps

Consider this as a foundation before your church contemplates adopting AI to assist with routine tasks; these pointers could help get you started on the right path:

Preserve the Relationship between believers and God

This is the core objective that we will strive to protect: the use of AI should help strengthen, not hinder, the genuine relationship between the Christian and God.

Bearing in mind that AI and technological tools can help us develop a closeness with God, however, AI cannot worship God, nor can it become a god. With the growing ability of Machine Learning (ML) and Large Language Model (LLM), the process of adopting AI could create confusion in seeing AI as more than a tool to assist us in ministry and studying the Bible. A Google AI engineer started a church called "Way of the future" in 2017, dedicated to worshipping AI as their deity, gaining their trust and financial offerings. Such are the dangers if we are not careful about getting our priorities right. AI assist us as a tool to learn and communicate our faith, but it cannot embody faith, offer forgiveness, or provide discipleship.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, be on the lookout for signs that AI is seen as more than a tool to assist us in knowing God.

AI generate image: A robot together with church members

Prepare the members

Have open discussions with church members about the use of AI, its benefits, and the pitfalls. It is a powerful technology that requires thoughtful engagement. Today, AI is used in numerous aspects of our lives, including helping to generate personalised dental reports, creating accessibility for those with disabilities, translating languages, creating media and content, and providing therapy and companionship, as well as helping people find purpose in life. However, AI learns from human knowledge, which forms the foundation of its algorithms. As a result, AI-generated content may contain misinformation, bias, and prejudice; it is an extension of the human sinful nature. Chances are, members are already using AI, so it is essential to help them be aware of the dangers, through organising talks and discussions, inviting speakers to update them on AI trends, development, and how to avoid the pitfalls. Remember that we are shaped by the regular use of digital tools.

having our eyes wide open and seeing how technology is subtly shaping us in ways often contrary to our faith - Following Jesus in a Digital Age by Jason Thacker

Produce words and content

AI is a great helper with words and content, excelling at tasks involving language, such as writing drafts, summarising information, and generating ideas. It's a powerful assistant for content creation.

Use AI to draft social media posts, create outlines for Bible studies, or generate initial versions of newsletters. Always review and edit the output carefully! “Hallucination”: AI can confidently present incorrect information as fact. Double-check everything it produces against reliable sources, especially scripture and theological resources. Don’t blindly trust its accuracy.

AI-generated content is fast and mostly accurate, but it can hallucinate

Personalise communication

AI enables you to tailor content to specific audiences or individuals, making communication more relevant, targeted, and efficient. However, it also amplifies biases and thought patterns. It is a double-edged sword that can personalize email newsletters based on member interests, yet be mindful of the prompts you use. If your prompt reflects a particular viewpoint, the AI will reinforce and magnify that viewpoint, AI doesn’t have inherent ethics; it simply follows your instructions. Be aware of biases and ensure your prompts are fair, inclusive, and aligned with Christian values. AI can magnify distortions just as easily as it magnifies good ideas.

AI magnifies our thoughts and distortions; it can go in either direction without ethical restraints

Predict and give insight into Church operations

AI has a convincing ability to forecast future activities based on records; it can analyse past data to identify trends and predict future outcomes, which is potentially helpful for planning ministry activities or understanding community needs. Practical application includes using AI-powered analytics tools to track attendance patterns, identify areas where engagement is low, or forecast volunteer needs. This information can inform your strategic planning.

Cautionary Note: Predictions are not guarantees. Since they are based on historical records, new environments, external factors, and unforeseen circumstances can always influence the outcome. Different analytical methods may yield totally unique results as well. Don’t rely solely on AI predictions; combine them with prayerful discernment and human judgment.

Based on previous church camp records, a simulator model generated by AI can predict the probability of a person going to church camp by providing the conditions on the left.

AI is a tool that enhances, not replaces, our existing ministry efforts. It enables us to focus more effectively on serving God and connecting with People, while being grounded in biblical teachings and guided by the Holy Spirit. Keep ourselves up-to-date with AI developments, as it is set to spread in the digital world. Commit to upholding proper ethical principles and ask ourselves if the tools are helping us serve God better. We are accountable to the church and God for the rightful adoption of AI.