New Krantz Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Humanity; Boston College, University Communications, June 2026

Jack Dunn, Boston College, University Communications; New Krantz Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Humanity

 "Boston College will leverage its formative and ethical strengths as a Jesuit, Catholic university to explore the opportunities, implications, and dangers of artificial intelligence through a transformative gift from University Trustee Jason Krantz ’95, P’23 and his wife, Keely (Fitzgerald) Krantz ’95, P’23.

Boston College will leverage its formative and ethical strengths as a Jesuit, Catholic university to explore the opportunities, implications, and dangers of artificial intelligence through a transformative gift from University Trustee Jason Krantz ’95, P’23 and his wife, Keely (Fitzgerald) Krantz ’95, P’23.

The gift will establish the Krantz Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Humanity, which will utilize BC faculty, visiting scholars, and industry partners to examine AI’s long-term opportunities and impact from a humanistic perspective, while instilling BC students with the judgement, wisdom, and critical thinking necessary to help them become ethical leaders in its deployment."

Computer scientist speaks of effects of AI on humanity; Allied News, October 15, 2024

HAILEY ROGENSKI , Allied News; Computer scientist speaks of effects of AI on humanity

"What role will we let artificial intelligence play in our lives, and what effect will AI have on religion and the world? Can it replace human roles that require empathy?

Dr. Derek Schuurman, a Christian computer scientist from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich., delved into those issues Oct. 7 at Grove City College in the college’s Albert A. Hopeman Jr. Memorial Lecture in Faith & Technology.

Schuurman, is a member of the American Scientific Affiliation and adviser for AI and faith, a contributor to the Christian Scholars Review blog, a columnist for the Christian Courier and an author of Shaping the Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology and a co-author of A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers and Designers...

“I think at that point we have to get back to that question and say, ‘what does it mean to be human?’” Schuurman said. “What does it mean to be made in the image of God? What does that imply for certain types of relationships and work about having a human doing that, because we choose to have someone who can actually have empathy for us, someone who’s words can be influenced and shaped by the holy spirit speaking into our lives. There’s certain roles that require empathy, care (and) wisdom.”

Schuurman said he thinks some roles that require this kind of empathy, such as being a pastor or teacher, will remain untouched by AI.

He said the best way to use AI is to maintain a “hybrid approach” where “people do what people do well and machines do what machines do well.”"