Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been called the next technological revolution, transforming economies, communication, and creativity. Its rapid advance also raises profound questions about what it means to lead, to create, and to be human.

Because the incarnate Word is Lord over all, humanity and human making are properly subject to Christ. How we engage AI will shape both our discipleship and our witness to a watching world.

This conference invites ministry and marketplace leaders to approach AI as a moral and theological frontier requiring discernment. Through presentations from theologians, ethicists, and practitioners, participants will:

• Evaluate AI tools for ministry or vocation through a theological-ethical lens.
• Discern responsible and irresponsible uses of AI for spiritual formation and human flourishing.
• Recognize how AI reflects competing views of what it means to be human.
• Learn from the church’s historical response to technological change.

Participants will receive guidance on setting AI related practices, guardrails, and policy language suitable to their organization or ministry context, ensuring that their engagement with AI aligns with their mission, theology, and ethical commitments. They will return to their churches, schools, or workplaces prepared to make thoughtful, faithful decisions about AI.

Presenters

John Dyer

John Dyer is the VP for Enrollment and Educational Technology and assistant professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He completed his ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary and his PhD in the sociology of religion at Durham University in 2019. He has worked as a coder since around the year 2000. Reflecting carefully on the technology he creates and uses over time, he has been able to take on more responsibilities. This involves teaching seminary students, speaking at conferences, and creating tools like bestcommentaries.com, biblewebapp.com, yallversion.com, worship.ai, and other open-source tools. He is the author of From the Garden to the City: The Place of Technology in the Story of God (Kregel, 2022), People of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created a Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture (Oxford, 2022), and Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age (Crossway, 2023).

Noreen Herzfeld

Dr. Noreen Herzfeld is Director of the Benedictine Spirituality and Ecotheology Program at St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary and Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Philosophical and Religious Studies (ZRS) in Koper, Slovenia. She is the author of The Artifice of Intelligence: Divine and Human Relationship in a Robotic World (Fortress, 2023), In Our Image: Artificial Intelligence and the Human Spirit (Fortress, 2002), Technology and Religion: Remaining Human in a Co-Created World (Templeton, 2009), and numerous journal articles. She is also a member of the AI Research Group for the Centre for Digital Culture of the Vatican Dicastery of Culture and Education, for which she co-wrote and edited Encountering AI: Ethical and Anthropological Explorations (Pickwick, 2024).

Ryan Tafilowski

Ryan Tafilowski is assistant professor of theology and chair of the Theology Department at Denver Seminary. He holds a PhD in systematic theology, a master’s in theology in history from the University of Edinburgh, and a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Colorado Christian University. Prior to joining the faculty at Denver Seminary, Dr. Tafilowski served as an adjunct professor of theology at Colorado Christian University and postgraduate instructor in theology and ecclesiastical history at the University of Edinburgh. He serves as the lead pastor at Foothills Fellowship Church in Denver and as Theologian-in-Residence at the Denver Institute for Faith and Work.

Jason Thacker

Jason Thacker is assistant professor of philosophy and ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He also is a senior fellow in bioethics and director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is the author of several books including The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity (Zondervan, 2020) and Following Jesus in the Digital Age (B&H, 2022). He also serves as the editor of The Digital Public Square: Christian Ethics in a Technological Society and co-editor of the Baptist Social Ethics and the Essentials in Christian Ethics series with B&H Academic. He was the project leader and lead drafter of Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles, and his work has been featured at New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Slate, Politico, The Week, USA Today, Christianity Today, World Magazine, The Gospel Coalition, and Desiring God.

Contact:
Reach out to Jason Woodman, director of Public Engagement for The Gospel Initiative, with any questions.