Connect with us

Technology

New Study Reveals Christian Views on Ethical Ministry Uses of AI

Published

on

Christians show optimism in using AI for a growing set of ministry tasks

BOULDER, Colo., July 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — New research data from Barna Group, conducted in partnership with Gloo, the leading technology platform dedicated to connecting the faith ecosystem and releasing its collective might, revealed areas of approval — and disapproval — of the appropriate uses of artificial intelligence. The study included both U.S. Christian adults and general U.S. adult populations to better understand cultural acceptance and use of AI.

Christians & AI – Key findings:

In response to “Which do you feel AI could do better, and which do you feel a human could do better?”:

Most believe that spiritual counseling (86%) and mental health counseling (84%) could be better done by humans.Two in three Christians (67%) feel that AI could perform administrative tasks such as scheduling or planning as well as or better than humans.Just over half (53%) believe AI could organize music set lists as well as or better than humans.Half of Christians (50%) see AI as equal to or better than humans in giving church budgeting advice.While 63% see humans as being the best at writing and developing sermons, 32% see AI as being an equal or better alternative.

“We know from our recent research findings that most people, not just Christians, are navigating where and when to use AI in alignment with their personal values. It’s no surprise that most Christian adults believe ministry tasks requiring a personal touch should be done by humans,” said Steele Billings, head of AI at Gloo, “But what may be surprising to most ministry leaders is that many Christians are optimistic about using AI beyond just everyday administrative tasks.”

U.S. Adults & AI – Key findings:

In response to how much U.S. adults personally approve of AI-generated art being treated like man-made art:

Fewer than half (44%) approve of AI-generated literature.Roughly two in five U.S. adults (43%) strongly disapprove of AI-generated music using the voices of music artists.Nearly two in five (38%) also strongly disapprove of AI-generated art imitating the style of a famous artist.Younger people embrace AI in creative fields, with 61% agreeing that AI can contribute to art, music and storytelling, compared to just 32% of Boomers.

“The research shows gradual but dynamic shifts in how individuals engage with this technology from ethical considerations to a desire for greater competency in its use,” said Ashley Ekmay, lead researcher at Barna. “As AI continues to evolve, there are signs that people are increasingly grappling with its implications.”

Supporting its commitment to educate and equip ministry leaders on AI, Gloo recently announced two prominent guests attending its second annual AI & the Church Hackathon — Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO and Bobby Gruenewald, CEO of YouVersion. The hackathon is part of the Gloo AI & the Church Initiative, designed to help the Church responsibly navigate and engage the evolving landscape of AI.

The Gloo and Barna research partnership will continue to assess and share the growing questions, trends and perspectives on faith and AI throughout the year.

Gloo is the trusted platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. As a leading technology innovator, Gloo connects people, partners, world-class content, funding opportunities and more to help ministries achieve their goals and change more lives. Gloo has more than 70,000 churches using its platform and connects as many as 1,000 new people to churches each day. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado.

Barna Group is a visionary research and resource company based in Dallas, Texas. Started in 1984, the firm is widely considered to be a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture. Conducting more than two million interviews over the course of thousands of studies, Barna has become a go-to source for insights about faith and culture, leadership and vocation and generations. Barna has worked with thousands of businesses, nonprofit organizations and churches across the U.S. and around the world. Barna is an independent, privately-held, nonpartisan organization based in Dallas, Texas, with offices in Nashville, Tennessee, Ventura, California, and Atlanta, Georgia.

About this survey
This data is based on a survey of 1,072 U.S. adults and 656 U.S. Christian adults from May 21–31, 2024. The margin of error for the sample is +/- 3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. For this survey, researchers used an online panel for data collection and observed a quota random sampling methodology. Quotas were set to obtain a minimum readable sample by a variety of demographic factors and samples were weighted by region, ethnicity, education, age and gender to reflect natural presence in the American population.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-study-reveals-christian-views-on-ethical-ministry-uses-of-ai-302192542.html

SOURCE Gloo

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

KNEX Technology CTO Gustavo Gonzalez Elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG

Published

on

By

Gustavo Gonzalez, KNEX Technology’s CTO, has been elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG, emphasizing his dedication to Oracle innovation, collaboration, and leadership, including Ascend 2025’s strategic initiatives.

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — KNEX Technology, a leading Oracle Cloud solutions provider, is proud to announce that its Chief Technology Officer, Gustavo Gonzalez, has been elected as the 2025 President-Elect of the Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG). This esteemed appointment highlights Gonzalez’s longstanding commitment to advancing innovation and collaboration within the Oracle community.

OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career. As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.

In his new role, Gonzalez will work closely with the OATUG leadership team throughout 2025, preparing to serve as OATUG President in 2026. He will focus on empowering Oracle professionals worldwide by fostering knowledge-sharing, community engagement, and professional development. OATUG, a globally recognized organization, supports its members in overcoming challenges, enhancing the value of Oracle solutions, and driving organizational success.

“OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career,” said Gustavo Gonzalez. “As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.”

Gonzalez’s election underscores his dedication to giving back to the Oracle ecosystem. A key focus of his role will include shaping OATUG’s strategic initiatives, such as the annual Ascend Conference, which unites Oracle users, thought leaders, and technology innovators for unparalleled learning and networking opportunities.

The upcoming Ascend 2025 Conference, scheduled for June 8–11 in Orlando, Florida, promises to build on the success of the 2024 event, which attracted more than 1,800 attendees. With early bird registration now open, Gonzalez aims to ensure the conference continues to deliver transformative insights and experiences for the Oracle community.

About OATUG

The Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG) is the premier global organization for Oracle users, providing year-round education, networking, and advocacy. OATUG empowers its members to unlock the full potential of Oracle solutions, fostering innovation and collaboration across industries.

About KNEX Technology

KNEX Technology is a trusted leader in Oracle Cloud solutions, delivering cutting-edge products and services to help businesses achieve their objectives. Through its innovative approach and customer-focused strategies, KNEX enables organizations to navigate the complexities of today’s technology landscape. For more information, visit www.knextech.com.

Media Contact

Husna Gyasi, KNEX Technology, 1 (949) 232-0786, husna.ghayaisi@knextech.com, https://knextech.com/

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/knex-technology-cto-gustavo-gonzalez-elected-2025-president-elect-of-oatug-302347693.html

SOURCE KNEX Technology

Continue Reading

Technology

Dr. Gerard van Belle Appointed Director of Science at Lowell Observatory, Charting a Bold Future for Research

Published

on

By

Dr. van Belle to guide scientific exploration and foster innovation in the next era of astronomical research

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lowell Observatory is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gerard van Belle as the new Director of Science. Van Belle, who has been an astronomer at the observatory since 2011, has been serving as the interim Director of Science.

In his new role, van Belle will lead a diverse team of astronomers and planetary scientists. He will spearhead the observatory’s new Science Vision, which focuses on advancing research capabilities and implementing cutting-edge technological improvements supporting Lowell’s leadership in astronomical research.

Under his leadership, the science department will continue to advance Lowell Observatory’s mission to pursue the study of astronomy, including the study of our solar system and its evolution, and to conduct pure research in astrophysical phenomena.

Van Belle’s own research focuses on fundamental stellar parameters, including the sizes, shapes, masses, distances, and temperatures of various types of stars. He is also renowned for his expertise in optical and near-infrared astronomical interferometry.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Whitman College in 1990, followed by a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1993, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wyoming in 1996.

Throughout his career, van Belle has been instrumental in the development and commissioning of major optical interferometers worldwide, including the Palomar Testbed Interferometer, the Keck Interferometer, and the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. His pioneering work in stellar surface imaging earned him the inaugural Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2002.

In 2011, van Belle joined Lowell Observatory’s science staff, where he applied high-resolution astronomical techniques to detect nearby exoplanets and map stellar surfaces. He served as the Director of the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) in Flagstaff, Arizona, from 2017 to 2018, and subsequently as its Chief Scientist until 2022.

Notably, van Belle was among the astronomers who voted against the definition of ‘planet’ advanced during the 2006 International Astronomical Union (IAU) conference in Prague, which relegated Pluto to being a ‘dwarf planet’ (which according to the IAU resolution is not a planet).

His extensive experience and dedication to advancing astronomical research make him a valuable leader for Lowell Observatory’s scientific endeavors.

“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Lowell Observatory,” said van Belle. “Our Science Vision will guide us in exploring new frontiers in astronomy while strengthening our commitment to public engagement and education.”

Executive Director Dr. Amanda Bosh expressed her confidence in van Belle’s leadership: “Gerard’s extensive experience and dedication to our mission make him the ideal person to lead our scientific endeavors. I look forward to working closely with him as we embark on this exciting new chapter for Lowell Observatory.”

For more information about Lowell Observatory’s research and public programs, visit lowell.edu.

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-gerard-van-belle-appointed-director-of-science-at-lowell-observatory-charting-a-bold-future-for-research-302348440.html

SOURCE Lowell Observatory

Continue Reading

Technology

ALTICE USA IS ABANDONING LOCAL SPORTS FANS AND IS KEEPING MSG NETWORKS AND ITS KNICKS, RANGERS, ISLANDERS AND DEVILS COVERAGE OFF THE AIR

Published

on

By

NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MSG Networks released the following statement about their dispute with Altice USA:

“Altice USA has pulled their last proposal and walked away from negotiations to bring MSG Networks back to its Optimum subscribers. They also just dropped WPIX Channel 11 in New York and other local stations around the country. If you have been waiting, like we have, for them to do right by their customers – don’t wait any longer. Now is the time to switch to Verizon Fios who has a special offer for Optimum subscribers. Meanwhile, Optimum has been charging their over 1 million customers for local sports programming they have not been receiving and EVERY subscriber should be credited at least $10 a month.

Verizon Fios is ready to take your business. If you are not in Verizon Fios area, you can get games through these other providers DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and The Gotham Sports App. For more options on how to switch providers, visit www.keepMSG.com.”

About MSG Networks

MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming offering (included in the Gotham Sports App), that serve the nation’s number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports. MSG Networks is part of the Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR).

Contact:

Dan Schoenberg (dan.schoenberg@msg.com)

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/altice-usa-is-abandoning-local-sports-fans-and-is-keeping-msg-networks-and-its-knicks-rangers-islanders-and-devils-coverage-off-the-air-302348428.html

SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

Continue Reading

Trending