Original Coverage & Source Attribution: newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said Saturday that faith communities can help ensure artificial intelligence promotes human flourishing and serves the common good.
Speaking at the G20 Interfaith Forum in Salt Lake City, the leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints described faith, moral compass and human flourishing as essential guideposts in an age of rapidly advancing technology.
“AI will not fulfill its full potential until we make it as morally good as we make it powerful,” Elder Gong said. “And we will not fulfill our responsibility until we understand that we — and not any technology — must shape our best future.”
The forum, being held in the United States for the first time, brought together religious leaders, scholars, humanitarian practitioners and public officials from around the world under the theme, “Resilient Hope, Shared Future.”
Addressing this distinguished gathering, Elder Gong said AI should be guided not only by technological capability but also by enduring moral values and concern for human dignity.
The Apostle highlighted efforts to help ensure artificial intelligence reflects faith and ethical values. He referenced the Consortium for Evaluating Faith and Ethics in AI (CEFE-AI), a collaboration involving six universities and faith leaders that seeks to assess how AI systems respond to questions involving faith, religion and human values. He said such efforts can help encourage AI that is accurate, respectful and grounded in principles that promote human dignity and human flourishing.
Elder Gong also referenced principles The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has adopted for its own use of artificial intelligence, including spiritual connection, transparency, privacy and security, and accountability.
Technology, he said, should ultimately help people develop their God-given potential. Elder Gong recounted a recent visit he and his wife, Susan, made to Nevis, the small Caribbean island where American founding father Alexander Hamilton was born.
Despite humble beginnings on that “dot in the middle of the ocean,” Hamilton’s influence reached far beyond his circumstances, Elder Gong noted. In much the same way, he added, the greatest promise of artificial intelligence is its potential to help people learn, contribute and bless others.
“With AI, we can preserve and promote human agency and enlarge human capacity to do good,” the Apostle said. “It will take our best efforts, such as those this G20 Interfaith Forum is committed to. But if as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves [see Matthew 10:16] we do all we can, I believe we can offer humanity the gift of possibility.”
“There’s so much we can each do, individually and collectively, so that anyone, anywhere — everyone, everywhere — can contribute to faith, moral compass, and human flourishing: AI for the common good,” he said.
From Human Flourishing to Humanitarian Service
A recurring theme throughout the forum was the importance of placing people at the center of efforts to address society’s challenges.
Speaking during a Friday session on human flourishing, Elissa Gifford, director of Humanitarian Services for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said lasting change occurs when communities work together to strengthen those in need.
“When we put people at the center of our efforts and work together, we can do more than meet immediate needs. We can help individuals, families and communities become stronger and more self-reliant, creating lasting change for generations to come,” Gifford said. “As members of the Church, we strive to love our neighbor and follow the example of Jesus Christ to serve. When people of faith work together with governments, communities, and humanitarian organizations, we can turn that love into meaningful action that strengthens individuals, families and communities for generations.”
Forum participants had an opportunity to put those principles into practice Friday afternoon during a service project benefiting people experiencing homelessness. Participants assembled insulated Turtle Shelter Vests designed to help people experiencing homelessness stay warm during cold weather.
The project was founded by Jen Spencer, who said her own experiences with homelessness inspired her to create a practical way to help others stay warm during winter.
“Service helps people focus on what they have in common,” she said. “When people work side by side to help others, they build understanding and meaningful relationships.”
Jen said seeing volunteers from different countries, cultures and faith traditions working together reflected the goals of the forum.
“It’s inspiring to see people from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths come together to help others,” she said. “Service has a unique way of bringing people together.”
