Artificial Intelligence and Religious Education: A Path to Strengthening Faith
Experts emphasize that artificial intelligence should not replace personal effort in religious education, but rather be used properly as a tool to enhance understanding.
With artificial intelligence entering every aspect of life, how it should be positioned in religious education and family life is under discussion. BYU Professor Tyler Griffin and other speakers note that technology must not take the place of human agency.
Discussions on Artificial Intelligence in Education
Artificial intelligence technologies are increasingly finding a place in classrooms, smartphones, and scripture study. The fact that young people are turning to AI chatbots instead of scriptures for Sunday school lessons is forcing families to find a balance between technology use and meaningful preparation experiences.
Warnings from Church Leaders
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints warns that if AI is allowed to do users' work for them, it can lead to laziness, dependency, and dishonest attitudes.
Human Agency and Spiritual Development
Tyler Griffin, associate dean of religious education at Brigham Young University, states that students initially adopted a monitoring approach regarding AI use, but this created a contentious relationship. Griffin compares outsourcing spiritual development to having someone else do push-ups or eat meals for you.
Recommendations for Proper Use
Griffin views artificial intelligence not as a demonic invention, but as a tool developed through inspiration. He suggests that instead of replacing authentic intelligence, technology should be used as a guide that enables individuals to start with their own questions and find relevant talks and scriptures.