As Christians who embrace AI, we are called to be bearers of truth and light in a world often clouded by deception and darkness. In the face of the challenges posed by AI-generated misinformation, we must remain grounded in our faith and committed to upholding the values of honesty, integrity and compassion. How can we lead the charge in battling misinformation and helping those within our sphere of influence know what’s real from what’s not?
Cultivate Wisdom and Discernment
In an age of information overload, it is more important than ever to cultivate wisdom and discernment. We must learn to critically evaluate the information we encounter, ask questions, seek multiple perspectives and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s kind of a drag, and it takes time, but we have to lead by example. In a sense, we must put on oxygen masks first before assisting others. Are you carefully verifying sources, not sharing links without reading articles, so you don’t accidentally spread content that could be false or misleading? Are you checking sources, because sometimes the people who are writing those articles haven’t checked their sources or have just made stuff up? I know I’ve been guilty of passing along a link without vetting it carefully only to discover that what I shared wasn’t accurate. By developing these skills, we can become more resistant to the influence of misinformation and better equipped to navigate this time we live in.
Seek and Speak the Truth
As Jesus followers, we are responsible for actively seeking out truth and speaking it in love to those around us. It’s not enough to only build strong discernment muscles for ourselves; we also have to encourage others to do the same.
Speaking the truth in love is sometimes risky, especially in politics. If you are a clergyperson, you must be very careful about addressing these things. If you want to help your faith community become more discerning in an AI world, you must be willing to have some difficult conversations to challenge the misinformation out there. That misinformation can come from a twenty-four-hour news network, mainstream media, partisan blogs, and even the local newspaper. Kindness and grace are essential—especially because some people want to believe the misleading things they’re being told. When such claims align with their political ideologies (on either side of the political fence), they may hold tighter to those mistruths. This might even apply to you.
Pray for Wisdom and Guidance
Our hope and strength in the face of these challenges come from God. We can’t combat these mistruths and equip our people to face this new reality on our own power. We must commit ourselves to regular prayer, asking for wisdom, discernment and courage as we navigate the complexities of this new AI age. Ultimately, regularly engaging with the Holy Spirit and God’s Word is the key to successfully and responsibly using AI, specifically knowing how to lead our people in this present time. Pray also that God will be present in your interactions with those you lead where these things are concerned.
Advocate for Truth and Accountability
As members of the body of Christ, we have a prophetic role to play in advocating for truth and holding those in power accountable. As challenging as it is today, this means speaking out against the spread of misinformation, supporting responsible journalism and fact-checking initiatives (including getting your news from a variety of sources) and pushing for greater transparency and accountability in developing and deploying AI technologies. It could be that AI is a net win for truth as it could be more objective and neutral than biased humans.
If you’re in full-time ministry, you are one of the most trusted people in your parishioners’ lives. When they listen to your sermons, attend the classes you teach, participate in the music you lead or whatever the case may be, know that they trust your voice. When you hear a story about AI being used in a misleading way in the news, talk about it. If you hear people accepting a story you know to be false, gracefully set them straight.
Don’t be afraid to talk about AI in your church. Don’t be afraid to help people recognize what is real and what is not. Be above reproach even in your own AI usage; when appropriate, let people know when you’re using it. I have begun using the phrase “Through the power of AI …” and then showing an image, video, or something else I’ve created. I will even disclose at times when I’m working on a design project that was AI-assisted, such as the cover for this book. I don’t mind saying in a talk, “I asked ChatGPT this question,” and then sharing the results. You don’t legally have to cite ChatGPT as your source, by the way. In the same way you don’t have to tell readers that you used Microsoft Word to write a sermon or Photoshop to make an image. There’s a difference between what’s legal, ethical and moral. Be discerning about what and when you choose to share.
Foster a Culture of Empathy and Understanding
One of the most powerful antidotes to the divisive effects of misinformation is a culture of empathy and understanding. We must actively work to build meaningful relationships so that we may be invited to have hard conversations. Reclaiming a safe space for dialogue and nuance where we express care and concern for those who think differently than we do is worth the effort. By actively listening to others, seeking to understand their perspectives and experiences, and responding with compassion and respect, we can help break down the barriers that divide us and create space for genuine dialogue and connection.
Looking to the Future with Hope
While the challenges posed by AI-generated misinformation are significant and complex, we must not lose sight of the hope and promise that our faith offers. As Christians, we know that the truth will ultimately prevail and that the light of Christ will continue to shine in the darkness.
As we combat AI misinformation, let us do so with courage, compassion and a deep commitment to seeking and speaking truth. Let’s also engage with these issues thoughtfully and prayerfully, working toward solutions that honor God and our fellow sisters and brothers in Christ. And let us never forget that, in the end, our true source of wisdom, strength and hope lies not in any human technology but in the unchanging love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Adapted from “AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous” by Jason Moore released from Invite Press in October 2024.
