Some educators might be—understandably—concerned that artificial intelligence (AI) is going to destroy their jobs. However, Biola University is a Christian institution that is leaning into the challenges and opportunities AI presents by exploring how to use AI’s disruption in the most redemptive way possible.
“We have launched what we think is the first interdisciplinary AI Lab in a Christian university,” said Dr. Michael Arena, dean of Biola’s Crowell School of Business. Arena is on the faculty of the AI Lab and spoke to ChurchLeaders at Gloo’s second annual AI and the Church Hackathon that took place in Boulder, Colorado, from Sept. 13-15.
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Arena acknowledged there are qualities that make AI “scary dangerous,” particularly when it comes to the possibility of technology replacing human relationships or our relationship with God. When it comes to post-secondary education, Arena said that “a lot of faculty, a lot of staff are like, ‘Oh no, this is going to destroy education.’”
It would be easy to see the dangers of AI and conclude “we’ve got to run from this and hold it off, extend its implications as long as ever.” On the other hand, educators could respond with a “proactive stance…and engage in it and better understand it and learn.” It could have a destructive impact on education, Arena said, “but it actually might also make education better.”
Biola University’s AI Lab Is a Resource Hub
At this year’s AI and the Church Hackathon, more than 200 attendees from the U.S. and other countries came together on 40 teams to compete for cash prizes by creating AI solutions that will support human flourishing and thriving churches. A number of thought leaders sat down with ChurchLeaders to discuss the purpose of the hackathon and how believers and church leaders should view and engage with AI.
“How do we steward AI? How do we lean into it? How do we truly better understand it and engage with it, as opposed to run from it?” Arena asked.
Arena’s purpose in attending hackathon had to do with “catching the energy, connecting, building the network of like-minded people both in tech and ethics and really just sort of amplifying and accelerating the way we can develop AI.” His particular focus was on how to “develop students to use AI from a business standpoint.”
Arena believes Christians should draw some clear lines on how AI should and should not be used. “I think we ought to declare some things,” he said, noting that AI “will never, ever substitute a human relationship.”
Also, while AI can be an extremely useful tool for pastors for some tasks, such as gathering information, Arena said, “We should never allow AI to strip us away from the revelatory power of praying for the Holy Spirit’s presence while we’re studying Scripture.”
“As Christians, we’ve got an obligation to start thinking about, how do we safeguard AI?” he said. “But also, how do we get really, really disciplined about what we’re uniquely made to do and what parts of ourselves are we not willing to give up? Not because AI can’t do it but because we shouldn’t let AI do it.”
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