Part 2: AI & The Church Debate: Jason Malec, James Poulter, and Nils Smith

The Church Tech Today Podcast with Kenny Jahng | AI for Church Leaders | Church Online

Episode Description:

In part 2 of this special Church Tech Today Podcast series, host Kenny Jahng brings back James Poulter, Jason Malec, and Nils Smith for an extended discussion from the AI & the Church Hackathon at Gloo HQ in Boulder, Colorado. Building on the lively debate from the last episode, the panel dives deeper into using AI for mental health, church thriving, and ethical implications. From AI’s role in suicide prevention to its potential to assist pastoral care, this episode is packed with thought-provoking insights.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. AI in Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

How AI can detect early signals of mental health struggles and act as a supportive tool in suicide prevention.

2. Ethical Boundaries of AI in High-Risk Situations

Should AI be trusted with zero-margin-of-error scenarios like suicide counseling? The panel discusses where AI can assist versus where human intervention is irreplaceable.

3. AI as an Assistive Tool

The role of AI as a pastoral care assistant—how it can aid pastors without replacing the essential human element of ministry.

4. Normalization of AI in Church Contexts

How tools like AI note-takers and sentiment analysis are becoming part of everyday church administration and what that means for the future.

Why You Should Listen: This episode continues the conversation on AI's impact on ministry, especially focusing on mental health and the ethical dilemmas surrounding its use in delicate situations. Gain deeper insight into how AI tools can assist in providing compassionate care, make administrative tasks easier, and help churches be better stewards of their resources. Whether you're already on board with AI or still hesitant, this episode provides perspectives that will help you make informed decisions about AI in your ministry.

Noteworthy Question: Is AI capable of handling sensitive issues like suicide prevention, or should the human touch remain irreplaceable?

Resources You Might Like:

• AI and the Church Hackathon // http://hackathon.gloo.us

• AI Note-Taking Tools (e.g., Fathom AI) // http://www.3monthsOfFathom.com

• Christian Aligned Large Language Model by Gloo // http://ai.gloo.us

• ChatGPTforChurches.com

Subscribe and Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with church leaders you know looking to better understand how to use AI for ministry and good.