What Would Jesus Tech

Michael Graham, Executive Director of the Keller Center, dives into his work with the TGC AI Christian Benchmark, examining how major AI models respond to theological inquiries. Surprisingly, a Chinese model, DeepSeek, scored highest, prompting discussions about varying results among the models. The conversation explores AI's potential in pastoral care, the ethical implications for Christians, and the importance of human oversight. Graham also emphasizes the need for discernment and training in using AI for church-related tasks.

The discussion dives into whether tech leaders like Sam Altman and Elon Musk believe in God, exploring the tension between materialism and spirituality. Altman identifies as a tech nerd, viewing the world through an engineering lens that leaves little room for the divine. Musk's mechanistic worldview reduces ultimate purpose to efficiency. The hosts reflect on how screens and modernity numb transcendence while pondering Steve Jobs' search for something more meaningful. The conversation concludes with strategies to re-enchant everyday life and refocus awe toward the Creator.

Is this trend something to be happy about? Many are seeing psychedelics as an "on-ramp" to pagan spiritualism *and* to Christianity. Psychedelics include LSD, psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), DMT (found in ayahuasca), and mescaline (found in Peyote and San Pedro cacti). While various ethical concerns may be noted, there are also some apparent medicinal benefits. Is there room for nuance here? Or should we, as Christians, reject psychedelics completely?Phil Cotnoir is a husband, a father of four, an avid reader, and a freelance writer and editor. He recently wrote:- The Coming Psychedelic Moment at Mere Orthodoxy- The Psychedelic Renaissance: A Story of Hype and Hubris at The Gospel CoalitionKeywords: psychedelics, technology, spirituality, Christianity, mental health, conversion stories, tech culture, ethical research, medicinal use, recreational use. Thumbnail generated with the help of ChatGPT.To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Yes, there is talk of demons controlling AI. Why wouldn't they? Why wouldn't they use Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to influence humanity?And yet, we shouldn't go too far when thinking about their control. They are subordinated and limited by God. In this episode, we explore the intersection of spiritual warfare, demons, and artificial intelligence. We get into some personal experiences with demonic influences, and the theological framework needed when thinking about AI demons.00:00 Intro01:02 Yes, Demons in 202503:06 Limits and Influence of Demons10:02 Physical Objects13:51 The Nature of Idols, Demons, and AI17:39 Cultural Phenomena and Spirituality23:29 Power and Providence35:33 Rebuking DemonsSupport the show at patreon.com/WWJTPlease send your ideas and feedback to the cohosts, Andrew Noble, Austin Gravley, and Joel Jacob, at whatwouldjesustech@gmail.com. Thumbnail: original image created by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash with edits made by ChatGPT. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Doing AI Right?Daniel Manary has held various roles in AI, including CTO of PlaySpace, CTO at Kenesense.AI, Machine Learning Engineer at ProNavigator, and CTO at SimulFit Technologies, among others. He is also the host of Artificial Insights, a podcast where he interviews AI Product Leaders to seperate hype from impact.In this episode, Andrew Noble sits down with Daniel Manary, host of Artificial Insights, for a conversation that blends faith, technology, and the future. Together, they explore the hidden motivations driving AI, the ethical questions we can’t afford to ignore, and the surprising ways AI might reshape human connection. From Daniel’s inside perspective in the AI industry to a distinctly Christian vision for technology, this episode asks: can AI be built with both brilliance and a moral compass?00:00 - Intro03:05 - Dan had a dream05:00 - How you build matters11:12 - What AI future should we care about most?17:33 - Optimistic about AI? Why?20:53 - Current AI Projects and Future Directions30:00 - Wrap Things UpCheck out Dan's podcast: Artificial Insights: How To Do AI Right.Connect with Dan Manary on LinkedIn.Please send your ideas, questions, and feedback to the cohosts, Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley, at whatwouldjesustech@gmail.com. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Our guest today explores what it means to be ourselves truthfully. That is, true to our calling - our true, good, and beautiful callings.In this episode of What Would Jesus Tech? we delve into the concept of vocation beyond traditional job roles with our esteemed guest, Dr. Karen Swallow Prior. An award-winning author and cultural commentator, Karen shares insights from her latest book, "You Have a Calling," exploring how vocation intertwines with truth, goodness, and beauty.We discuss the evolving nature of work, the impact of technology, and how to find purpose in a rapidly changing world.Karen Swallow Prior is an award-winning author and cultural commentator who writes at the intersection of faith, literature, and public life.Buy her book! Link to Baker Publishing Group. Link to amazon.com.00:00 - Intro02:15 - Calling as Vocation10:30 - Calling vs Passion18:45 - AI and Job Shifts Due to Tech27:00 - Integrating Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in Our Work35:20 - Addressing Modern Challenges and Anxieties in VocationKaren's Substack: https://karenswallowprior.substack.com/Thanks for listening. On behalf of me, Andrew Noble, and the rest of the team, we appreciate you taking the time to think more deeply about what it means to imitate Jesus in our technological age. You can support our podcast by sharing it with friends, writing a review, or going to our Patreon page and becoming a member. I do use Generative AI to help write the episode description and create the chapters. This last paragraph however, was written completely by me. Hence the unnecessary length, incomplete sentences, and abrupt ending.

Smart glasses are making their way into churches, raising important questions. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear policies to ensure privacy and safety, especially for vulnerable groups. Balancing accessibility for visually impaired individuals with the importance of community protection is crucial. The speakers also discuss society's acceptance of this technology and the potential risks involved. Preparing proactively for these advancements could help churches navigate the challenges and benefits that come with smart glasses.

We discuss the challenges and joys of being a dad during the summer. Part two on Patreon. We explore the balance between technology use and outdoor play, the importance of being present with children, and creating memorable experiences. The conversation emphasizes the significance of presence over perfection in parenting, especially during the summer months when schedules can be more relaxed. (And yes, the thumbnail for this is based on Bluey and created by ChatGPT)Chapters00:00 Summer!03:12 Screen Time06:07 Balancing Freedom and Structure (Patreon)09:08 Presence (Patreon)16:03 Adventures (Patreon)Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/WWJTHave a great summer!

Sam Altman, the founder of ChatGPT, believes we're past the event horizon. We're past the point of no return. The future is an AI future. And, well, Andrew Noble and Joel Jacob mostly agree. But with some important caveats related to AI safety, deterministic versus probabilistic coding, determinism philosophically, and agency amidst rapid technological advancements.Chapters00:00 Intro02:28 AI Defense and Security07:47 The Gentle Singularity13:43 The Deterministic vs. Instrumentalist View of Tech22:46 Probabilistic vs. Deterministic Coding in AI25:31 Evaluating AI's Performance, Ethics, and Impact31:34 Finding Hope in the AI AgeLinks - Sam Altman on A Gentle Singularity- Using GenAI helps consultants: - ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, According to a New MIT Study Keywords: AI, Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI, Sam Altman, technology, singularity, ethics, job displacement, security, human values, deterministic, probabilisticSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/WWJT

Paul Hoffman, Pastor at Evangelical Friends Church and Associate Professor at Samford University, dives deep into the interaction between AI and faith. He emphasizes that AI should remain a tool, advocating for human flourishing while warning against its potential pitfalls. The conversation explores the challenge of maintaining authenticity in communication and creativity alongside technology. Hoffman also shares insights on reclaiming human connection in our increasingly digital world, urging listeners to prioritize community and spirituality.