United Methodist Agencies Host Third Annual AI and Church Summit

United Methodist Discipleship Ministries and United Methodist Communications are hosting the third annual AI & Church Summit from August 24 to August 27. The event, which takes place in Nashville, Tennessee, and online, is expected to draw approximately 75 in-person participants and over 300 virtual attendees from various denominations. This ecumenical gathering aims to facilitate discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in modern life and the church.

This year’s summit focuses on the theme of "human agency," exploring how individuals can maintain responsibility in decision-making processes as AI technology becomes more integrated into daily life, work, and faith communities. Executive director C. Blake Davis stated that the event seeks to foster thoughtful discernment rather than reaching a binary conclusion on whether AI is inherently good or bad. The summit features a diverse group of contributors, including theologians, technology experts, and Indigenous leaders, to address the potential benefits and risks associated with the technology.