Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Global Missional AI

Is technology really neutral? Can we just "use AI for good and avoid the bad" without deeper consideration?In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Dr. John Dyer, professor of educational technology and theology at Dallas Theological Seminary, who challenges the common assumption that technology is simply a neutral tool. John argues that technology is fundamentally formative - whenever we use it, we don't just change the world, we get changed too.What you'll discover:-Why the "technology is neutral" framework is inadequate for understanding AI-How every tool shapes us physically, mentally, and spiritually (the "shovel analogy")-Why most theology chatbots have become therapy bots - and what that means for formation-A biblical framework for AI in education (hint: it's not about banning or embracing everything)-The ethical concerns around creating chatbots of historical Christian figuresWhy the next big AI leap will be anthropomorphic robots, not better language models-How Deuteronomy's building codes inform modern AI safety standardsJohn brings essential theological depth to questions every ministry leader, educator, and thoughtful Christian is facing: How do we engage AI wisely? What skills should we develop versus delegate to machines? And how do we ensure these powerful tools serve human flourishing rather than replacing human wisdom and relationships?This conversation offers the theological framework our community needs as we navigate the rapid advancement of AI technology. Whether you're grappling with AI in education, ministry applications, or simply want to think biblically about our technological moment, this episode provides crucial insights for faithful engagement.

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Richard Zhang, a research scientist at Google DeepMind, to explore the intersection of Christian faith and artificial intelligence development. Richard shares his unique perspective on building trust in AI systems, moving beyond static assessments to understanding the trajectory of where AI technology is heading.

We dive deep into the challenges of AI safety from a Christian worldview, discussing how core biblical values can inform the development of ethical AI systems. Richard explains his work on hyperparameter optimization and prompt engineering, making complex AI concepts accessible while addressing the "black box" problem that concerns many users.

The conversation explores how AI agents are changing our relationship with technology, the importance of interpretability in modern language models, and what it means to pursue understanding while embracing mystery - both in faith and in AI development.

Richard also shares his experience as part of the "Christians in AI" community at Google, revealing how faith-based perspectives are increasingly recognized as essential for serving the 80-85% of the world's population who are people of faith. He discusses the ongoing efforts to make AI models more religiously aware and culturally sensitive.

Whether you're a technologist, person of faith, or simply curious about the future of AI, this episode offers valuable insights into how we can build more trustworthy and value-aligned artificial intelligence systems.

Topics covered: Trust in AI, AI safety and alignment, Christian perspectives on technology, hyperparameter optimization, AI agents, interpretability, religious representation in AI models, Christians in tech

Guest: Gareth Russell, CEO of Jersey Road

In this compelling episode of the Global Missional AI podcast, host Joshua Seale sits down with Gareth Russell, CEO of Jersey Road, a communications agency specializing in helping Christian organizations navigate reputational management in our rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The AI Content Reality: Discover the striking statistic that 61% of AI-generated content about organizational trust and values comes directly from editorial sources - meaning what ministries publish today directly feeds the large language models people increasingly turn to for information about their organizations.

Organizations Scrambling in the Dark: Russell reveals how most Christian organizations know AI is embedded in their work but lack clear policies or strategies for engagement, creating both opportunities and risks in this new landscape.

Surprising Spiritual Trends: Explore fascinating demographic shifts many ministries are missing, including:

• 2 million more people attending church in the UK over the last six years
• Growing spiritual revival among younger generations and men
• Christianity becoming "the new religion" in Silicon Valley after being previously "outlawed"
• 66% of Americans expressing personal commitment to Jesus

Strategic Communication in the AI Age: Learn why crisis communication, thought leadership, and authentic storytelling have never been more critical, and how organizations can tune their communications for AI platforms while maintaining authenticity.

Values-Driven Decision Making: Russell emphasizes that organizational values should serve as filters for strategic decisions, including which AI platforms to engage with and how to approach technology adoption.

This episode offers practical insights for ministry leaders wondering how to steward AI technology responsibly while reaching audiences in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're just beginning to think about AI strategy or looking to refine your approach, this conversation provides essential guidance for navigating faith and technology in 2025.

Don't miss the upcoming Global Missional AI London event on July 17 - learn more at missional.ai

Key Highlights:

French pastor and AI specialist Eric Celerier shares his remarkable 16-year journey from a chance encounter involving a lost dog named Hadassah to building the first biblically aligned AI model. Speaking at Missional AI 2025, Celerier reveals how current AI systems like ChatGPT are misaligned with Christian values and presents his groundbreaking solution.🔑 Key Topics Covered:How AI alignment reveals hidden biases in current systemsThe "Hadassah moment" that sparked a vision for Christian AI 16 years agoBuilding a multilingual, biblically-aligned LLM with 400+ theological sourcesCollaboration between Protestant and Catholic sources for comprehensive trainingCreating an "AI factory" for customized Christian applicationsPlans for open-source release to serve global missions🎯 Perfect for:Church leaders exploring AI integrationTech professionals interested in ethical AI developmentMissionaries and evangelists seeking new toolsAnyone curious about faith-based technology solutions💡 Quote: "The question is: Is AI shaping the church, or is the church shaping AI? Our answer: we shape AI with the Word of God."Join the conversation about making AI not just powerful, but faithful. This presentation offers both technical insights and spiritual vision for the future of Christian technology.#ChristianAI #AIAlignment #MissionalAI #OpenSource #Faith #Technology #Bible #Evangelism

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with James Poulter (JP), Head of AI and Innovation at House 337 and board member of Christian Aid, to explore the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and its profound implications for ministry and human work.

As AI capabilities are predicted to increase exponentially in the coming years—potentially reaching 1000x current capacity by 2027—JP helps us understand what this means for churches, ministries, and the knowledge economy as a whole. From the automation of "grunt work" to the reshaping of entire job categories, we dive deep into both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

JP shares his perspective on why the church should be at the forefront of innovation, drawing parallels to Jesus as the ultimate innovator. He offers practical advice for ministry leaders on how to prepare for an AI-driven future while maintaining focus on the distinctly human aspects of ministry: discipleship, evangelism, pastoral care, and serving the poor.

This episode is essential listening for anyone wondering how to navigate the intersection of faith, technology, and the future of work.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The AI 2027 Predictions: Understanding the potential for exponential AI capability growth
• Knowledge Economy Disruption: How AI will reshape jobs involving data manipulation and communication
• Ministry Applications: Practical ways churches can leverage AI tools now
• Job Displacement Concerns: The future of entry-level positions and "grunt work"
• Human-Centric Work: What remains uniquely human in an AI world
• Innovation in Faith: Why Christians should lead technological adoption
• Practical Recommendations: Low-hanging fruit for ministries starting their AI journey

Key Insights:

1. The Multiplier Effect: AI training AI could compress decades of development into months
2. The Arms Race Reality: Global competition may accelerate AI deployment beyond ethical considerations
3. Redefining Ministry Roles: Focus should shift from administrative tasks to relationship-building and pastoral care
4. Economic Opportunities: AI efficiency could allow ministries to multiply their impact with existing budgets
5. The Innovation Imperative: Churches should embrace their calling to be innovative, following Jesus's example

James Poulter heads AI and Innovation at House 337, a creative company based in London. He serves on the board of Christian Aid and advises Christian Vision, bringing extensive experience in how AI is reshaping work and society. JP is also a speaker at the Global Mission AI London event taking place July 17, 2025.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Gloo - a technology platform for the faith ecosystem, shaping technology as a force for good to help people flourish and communities thrive. With more than 100,000 leaders on their platform, Gloo serves those who serve. Visit gloo.com to learn more.

🎙️ AI Agents vs Workflows: The Future of "Vibe Coding" with Daniel WhitenackIn this inaugural episode of the Missional AI Podcast, we sit down with Daniel Whitenack, CEO of Prediction Guard and co-host of the Practical AI Podcast, to explore the cutting edge of AI development and its applications in ministry and Bible translation.🔥 What You'll

Learn:

-The key difference between AI agents and automated workflows

-How "vibe coding" is revolutionizing software development-Why Model Context Protocol (MCP) is becoming the "USB-C for AI tools"

-Practical strategies for choosing AI models in a rapidly changing landscape

-How AI agents can accelerate Bible translation and digital engagement-The future of AI skills and team building

⚡ Key Highlights:

-Understanding dynamic AI agents vs. pre-configured workflows

-The shift from traditional coding to AI-powered "vibe coding"

-Why you shouldn't build your strategy around a single AI model

-MCP servers for missional tools like Paratext, Joshua Project, and more

-How AI can handle the work humans don't want to do, enabling greater scale

🌍 About Our Guest:

Daniel Whitenack is the founder of the Global Missional AI Summit and leads Prediction Guard, providing secure AI infrastructure for regulated industries. He's at the forefront of connecting AI innovation with faith-based applications.🗓️ Upcoming Event:Join us at the Global Missional AI Summit in London on July 17! Learn more at missional.ai

🤝 Made possible through partnership with Gloo - where faith meets technology, serving 100,000+ leaders with AI tools that amplify ministry impact. Find out more at: www.gloo.com