AI x Christianity (Brisbane) – Gospel Wisdom for an AI World

Artificial intelligence and the “techno-optimist” mindset are rapidly defining our era.

Every day there’s something new happening with AI development, and it’s becoming more prevalent with every passing minute. In fact, you may already be one of the millions of people who use AI every day for work, learning, creation, and more.

But as AI becomes more prominent in our lives, so do the questions it brings with it:
o Is AI unbiased?
o Is it alright for me to use it for work?
o What happens if AI becomes sentient?
o Who controls where future technology will take us?
o And how can I approach these things from a biblical perspective?

AI x Christianity aims to respond to these questions and more, diving headfirst into the heart of the discussion about AI, future technology, and the ethical and theological issues raised.

Living in the Age of Disruptive Technologies: What is AI and Where is it Taking Us?
Neil Dodgson is a Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Dean of Graduate Research at Victoria University of Wellington. Prior to this, he spent 27 years at the University of Cambridge working across mathematics, engineering, and computing, all of which are crucial in the rise of AI. Neil has been active in the church throughout this time and has spent much time thinking about the ethical dimensions of technology and how it interacts with his Christian faith. Neil has a substantial record of academic publishing. Over the past 5 years, he has been invited to speak many times on AI, Christian faith, and what it means to be human.

AI, Transhumanism, and Techno-optimism: The Good, the Bad, and the Un-theological
Chris Mulherin is Executive Director of ISCAST and an Anglican minister with a background in engineering, philosophy, and theology. He has published articles and book chapters in the media and in academic works. His book Science and Christianity: Understanding the Conflict Myth, designed for use in schools and churches, is available from ISCAST. When he is not working for ISCAST, he teaches philosophy at the University of Divinity.

How to Be Wise in an Age Of Machine “Intelligence”
Nathan Campbell is the pastor of City South Presbyterian Church. He thinks and writes about the intersection between technology, media, and the good news of Jesus Christ.
Nathan will discuss what challenges and opportunities our image-making ‘generative AI’ tools provide for wise living, how the ancient wisdom of the Bible might provide a guide for using these tools and will talk about their impact on being human and our generative task.

Guest Panellist
Sandra J Godde is currently an Independent Researcher and Apologetics Coach. Formerly for over a decade, Sandra was a Lecturer in Theology, as well as Religious and Sociocultural Worldviews, at Harvest Bible College (Brisbane) and Christian Heritage College. Her research interests lie in the areas of Christology, apologetics, worldviews, and the interactions between science and faith. Her recently published book Reaching for Immortality: Can Science Cheat Death? is a theological response to Transhumanist ideals, where she compares and contrasts ideologies. Sandra has also contributed a chapter, “What does it mean to be Human? Examining the Importance of Embodiment for Personal Identity through a Transhumanist and Christian Worldview”, in the book A Curious Machine – Wesleyan Reflections on the Posthuman Future.

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