Trinity Western's School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC) presents a virtual event on June 7, 2024 — an AI unconference that will be hosted via Zoom, in collaboration with the Christianity and Communication Studies Network (CCSN).
This unconference is a Christian faith-infused, transdisciplinary conversation that aims to explore the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in all segments of public and private life. Dr. Scott Macklin and Dr. Kevin Schut will be lead facilitators of the event. Keynote presenters are Dr. Derek Schuurman, professor of computer science at Calvin University, and Dr. Chase Mitchell, assistant professor of media and communication at East Tennessee State University. Panelists include filmmaker and podcast producer Sarey Martin Concepción.
Event details
Human and Machine in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Exploring Faithful + Faith-filled Social Interaction in a Shifting Media Landscape
Friday, June 7, 2024
8:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
About the event
This event is geared towards undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community constituents. We welcome anyone who is interested in exploring the implications of AI in all segments of public and private life, specifically in the Christian context.
The unconference features keynote speakers and round-table discussions that will engage participants in thought-provoking conversations and inspiring reflections.
- As an unconference, the focus will be on unscripted, informal exchanges in small groups that revolve around topics of shared interest. The event will serve as a platform for sharing research, experiences, and practical applications related to AI in the realms of art, music, business, education, science, and more.
- It will foster collaboration among scholars and practitioners interested in exploring the intersections of Christianity, technology, and various disciplines.
- Finally, this year’s encounter will serve as a generative mechanism to produce a transmedia suite of artifacts (e.g., a book, podcasts, videos, framing guides, etc.)
Thoughtful reflection and engagement
As Christians, we joyfully celebrate all benefits the tools of communication afford as part of God’s wondrous gifts of creation. At the same time, because these tools are formed from the earth’s resources and human design, they suffer the effects of humanity’s fall into sin. We thus recognize the importance of faith-filled responses to AI that integrate a biblical worldview and include questions such as:
- What does it mean for AI to be rooted in God’s good created order, and how does this affect the Church’s communication to the world?
- How can AI help us grow in love for God, ourselves, neighbour, and the environment?
- What biblical values, norms, and virtues are important for responsible and ethical use of AI?
- Additionally, as AI continues to expand and become more capable of doing things that previously only humans could do, how does it effect our humanness?
- In what ways are people distinct from machines? In essence, what does it mean to be fully human, or image bearers created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26–28), in the age of AI?
Fostering dialogue
The overarching goal of this encounter is to foster the start of a dialogue around these and other key questions that integrate biblical teachings, theological perspectives, and Christian ethics with cutting-edge AI advancements. By acknowledging the affordances and constraints of AI, we can proactively address the potential ramifications on human creativity, spirituality, and societal well-being.
Our faith in Christ compels us to explore how AI can be harnessed to foster human flourishing while also being vigilant against its potential misuse. Together, we can envision a hopeful future where AI serves as a tool to enhance human creativity, expression, and innovation in obedience to God.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.