International (MNN) — Is AI a friend or foe of Christian missions? Many ministries around the world are evaluating the uses of AI as it gains popularity, specifically in education.

Discussing the impact of AI in education, David Durance with TeachBeyond says kids turn to AI as their first resource with homework. “That’s exciting and sobering,” he notes.

“If [AI] is now the first resource kids are using, what are the underlying resources that they’re actually being supplied by? Secondly, how do we continue to make sure that our kids are able to think through things independently?”

TeachBeyond also sees the usefulness of AI. Durance says AI can provide new opportunities to share a large amount of information that is usually accurate to areas without access to textbooks.

Currently, TeachBeyond and other ministries are discussing collaborations to make an AI platform that reflects Christian core values in its answers.

According to Barna’s research into AI and the Church, many Christians have concerns with AI’s integration into the Church’s ministry. While some think AI can assist churches with administrative tasks, the majority of Christians prefer a human for spiritual and relational ministry.

Although the development of AI is creating new dilemmas in the Church, the work in ministry remains the same.

“If it was just about knowledge, our work would be done in missions,” Durance says. “We could have the Gospel proclaimed everywhere around the world via radio or by Internet and say, ‘Let’s wrap it up.’”

However, he says, “Mission is always done through relationships. So, nothing has changed in that respect. Yes, [AI] is a tool in the toolbox. It is a brilliant tool in some ways that is going to help [ministries] be more effective.”

Pray for wisdom for Teach Beyond and other ministries as they make decisions regarding AI and their ministries. Pray for wisdom for the teachers in the classroom as they encounter new challenges and opportunities with AI.

 

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Gerd Altmann/Pixabay.