Mission statement: chatbots, theology, and mission

Few fields are evolving as rapidly as Artificial Intelligence (AI), with its future outcomes still largely speculative. Some envision an unprecedented wave of innovation, with AI joining human scientists in tackling major contemporary challenges without fatigue, personal distractions, or labor disputes. There are hopes that AI, if properly trained with the right data, could help solve major global issues such as war prevention, social justice, healthcare improvement, climate change, and political disputes.

Conversely, some predict catastrophic consequences if AI is not strictly controlled, pointing out that AI cannot take responsibility for its decisions, lacks empathy, and reacts without compassion.

Chatbots, a widespread AI application, are text-based dialogue systems allowing interactions with a technical system. They generate responses not found verbatim in their training data but aligned with the underlying convictions, creatively applying existing information to new inquiries, acting as “virtual personal assistants.”

Despite AI’s capacity to mimic human-like responses in many aspects, through applications like chatbots, it’s not limited to summarizing existing information but can create new texts, music, and art, with improving quality as AI capabilities enhance.

For Christians, the use of AI in theology, church work, and evangelism raises questions. The content fed into AI systems, like chatbots, influences their outputs. Proper data selection reflects the operator’s responsibility as demanded by God.

Critics of AI in theology, community, and mission

Critics of AI in theology, community, and mission work cite realistic concerns, such as the potential for AI to spread heresies and misinformation, akin to traditional information dissemination methods. Yet, the belief that the Gospel can only be spread through personal interactions is challenged by the fact that people have long been influenced by the words of long-deceased biblical figures and theologians, suggesting that God’s spirit can work through non-personal communication.

The argument that the Holy Spirit only works through humans, not computer programs, lacks conviction considering the belief in an omnipotent God capable of using any medium for His purposes. While chatbots are not “real” conversational partners, they can creatively formulate and recombine responses without inventing new theology or misusing spiritual statements unless programmed to do so by humans.

Chatbots, like humans, can err, potentially spreading misinformation. However, when fed correct information, they are likely to make fewer errors than humans. Most objections to AI in religious contexts concern its responsible use rather than the technology itself.

Advantages of AI in Christian work

Advantages of AI in Christian work include its constant availability worldwide, less impeded by language barriers, and inability to be threatened or tortured, reaching people in remote areas and potentially laying the groundwork for personal encounters.

In an increasingly online communication world, Christians can leverage AI to spread truthful and helpful faith content, supplementing human efforts and the Holy Spirit’s work. AI, like the printing press or the internet, expands the possibilities for Christians.

Personal spiritual encounters are not replaced but supplemented by AI, with responsible guidance ensuring that spiritual statements are not distorted but reformulated for relevance, potentially increasing the accuracy of spiritual guidance without human intervention in phrasing.

Despite legitimate concerns, the opportunities presented by AI should be recognized and utilized, with careful reflection and prayerful establishment of responsible frameworks. Personal prayer, theological engagement, and commitment remain essential for spreading the Gospel and supporting Christians, with AI serving as a tool to broaden the impact of accurate spiritual messages.