(RNS) — It’s one thing to steer clear of doing harm. It’s something else entirely to pursue what’s genuinely good. Right now, most artificial-intelligence model companies are focused on establishing a moral floor, making sure their models don’t do anything illegal, immoral or destructive. That’s important work, especially in the short term. The harder and far more important challenge is figuring out how to make sure AI works to affirm and further humankind.
That’s not simple. AI is trained on the vast content of the internet, which means it comes with a built-in worldview, whether we acknowledge it or not. As long as users use AI to write emails, there would be little cause for alarm. But people are increasingly asking AI questions once reserved for their most trusted relationships, like spouses and pastors. As a result, people continue to experience psychological breaks, suicidal ideation and other forms of self-harm and relationship breakdown in the course of their unguided and untutored interaction with chatbots.
Indeed, when it comes to how Christianity itself is being represented, we’re finding that none of the frontier models are particularly well-trained, consistent or accurate when it comes to providing explicitly Christian answers. That’s why it’s critically important that Christians understand both how AI is drawing from the world, and the technology itself.
Christians have the chance to influence AI for the good. I’d even argue that the church is uniquely well positioned to provide a rigorous, comprehensive vision of human flourishing — an essential component of ethical AI development.
At Gloo, a technology platform for the faith and flourishing ecosystem, we’ve developed a benchmark that evaluates whether AI models support human flourishing from a Christian perspective. We can measure how well the answers from various AI models promote wisdom, purpose and, yes, biblically grounded guidance.
What we have found is that AI has a hidden worldview. Most AI models operate from a secular, therapeutic and pluralistic framework that prioritizes neutrality, often erasing theological perspectives. Even when asked explicitly Christian questions, they default to secular or generic spiritual guidance. We found that the AI models avoid theological reasoning unless forced to do so. They rarely refer to Scripture, Christian practices or theological reasoning unless prompted.
This requires thoughtfulness and wisdom about the AI we let into our lives, informing our thoughts, beliefs and decisions. We must pay attention. We must use discernment. We must engage to remain a cultural force for good in our technology-infused world.
Shaping AI isn’t just the work of tech companies. Individual users have the capacity to make powerful change, if they use technology wisely. Equipping users at every level of the church with the knowledge and tools they need to use AI well will help bring about important change today and flourishing in the long term.
AI is the most influential technology of our lifetime. Christians have a responsibility to live in and reach the world. AI is part of that world and is not something to fear. We have the capacity to shape how this technology grows, rather than passively accept the ways it might shape us. We have the agency, and for now, we have the time.
So, stand firm instead of shrinking back. Engage AI with wisdom, courage and conviction. Use this moment — and your place in the church — to help build a future that strengthens humanity rather than confuses it.
(Nick Skytland is vice president of AI research at Gloo. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service.)