A leading religious voice proposes a new test for AI: Humanity’s First Exam; Deseret News, October 17, 2026

Tad Walch , Deseret News; A leading religious voice proposes a new test for AI: Humanity’s First Exam

"Elder Gong said artificial intelligence presents three opportunities.

The first is artificial intelligence can help religions widely share the good they provide. The Church of Jesus Christ uses AI for humanitarian and educational services, translation and communication, pastoral and community support and more, he said.

“We help individuals and families live and contribute for good in an increasingly complex world,” he said.

The second is that faith traditions can help establish benchmark evaluations and moral compass in AI.

Third, religions can influence AI companies to infuse their models with a moral compass that promotes human flourishing by valuing families and faith.

Elder Gong repeated his position that AI is not and cannot be God.

“Whatever our faith or ethical tradition,” he said, “we know AI is math and math is not conscious or alive. As a creation of God, man can create AI, but AI cannot create God.”

Can AI be a ‘child of God’? Inside Anthropic’s meeting with Christian leaders.; The Washington Post, April 11, 2026

Gerrit De Vynck

 and 

Nitasha Tiku

, The Washington Post ; Can AI be a ‘child of God’? Inside Anthropic’s meeting with Christian leaders.

The artificial intelligence company asked religious leaders for guidance on building a moral chatbot.

"The company hosted about 15 Christian leaders from Catholic and Protestant churches, academia and the business world at its headquarters in late March for a two-day summit that included discussion sessions and a private dinner with senior Anthropic researchers, according to four participants who spoke with The Washington Post.

Anthropic staff sought advice on how to steer Claude’s moral and spiritual development as the chatbot reacts to complex and unpredictable ethical queries, participants said. The wide-ranging discussions also covered how the chatbot should respond to users who are grieving loved ones and whether Claude could be considered a “child of God.”"

AI & THE CHURCH SUMMIT: NAVIGATING THE ETHICAL FRONTIER; Virginia Theological Seminary, June 4, 2024

Virginia Theological Seminary; AI & THE CHURCH SUMMIT: NAVIGATING THE ETHICAL FRONTIER

"As Artificial Intelligence (AI) rapidly permeates our world, the church must grapple with its profound implications or we risk being caught behind the curve.

The AI & The Church Summit, a joint initiative of TryTank, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will foster crucial dialogue on this pivotal issue. The summit – to be held August 12-15 in Seattle, WA—will explore AI’s potential to address global challenges while critically examining ethical dilemmas like exacerbating inequality and threats to human dignity. We simply cannot shrink from the church’s role in advocating for ethical, human-centered AI development that protects the vulnerable.

Keynote speaker Father Paolo Benanti, the Vatican’s AI ethics advisor, will guide our conversation. His extensive work with Pope Francis positions him uniquely to address the need for global AI governance serving humanity’s interests. We will also have expert engagement, reflection, and dialogue, as we delve into AI’s moral, theological, and societal impacts.

Critically, this invitation-only event seeds ongoing collaboration. Each denomination will send 15 leaders committed to sustaining momentum through monthly discussions after the summit. The AI & The Church Summit presents a pivotal opportunity to envision an ethical AI future upholding human dignity. Let us lead this frontier.

Find out more to join us here.

The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, DMin, MBA
Chief Innovation Officer, VTS
Executive Director, TryTank Research Institute"