“Keep Artificial Intelligence a servant of humanity, not its master”, says Indian scientist at CCA Consultation
Cyberjaya, Malaysia: As digital technologies accelerate at an unprecedented pace in a world tempted by techno-eschatology, Dr Latha Christie, a senior Indian scientist, told participants of the CCA study consultation in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, “AI should not replace the Gospel message, but amplify its reach. Keep Artificial Intelligence a servant of humanity, not its master”.
On the third day of the international study consultation, Dr Latha Christie, a retired Defence Scientist, presented on “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technological Advancements: Impact on Church’s Ministry”, urging churches to reflect on how Artificial Intelligence and other technological advancements are transforming worship, pastoral care, education, and mission. She emphasised how emerging technologies are reshaping ministry, mission, and theology in profound ways.
Highlighting rapid advances in AI, Dr Christie noted, “AI is no longer science fiction. It is real, mainstream, and here to stay. There simply is no turning back.”
She explained that AI is moving beyond mere tools into roles that feel alive and deeply human, from autonomous agents managing office tasks to home robots assisting the elderly. Warning that, in the near future, “thirty per cent of jobs may be replaced, and ninety per cent of content will be AI-generated”, she steered the discussion beyond the usual moral binary.
While these advancements raise urgent theological and ethical questions, Dr Christie argued that the real question is not “Is AI good or evil?” but “How will we use it?” She explored the diverse spectrum of Artificial Intelligences, ranging from Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), and posed two pivotal questions: “Does AI challenge human uniqueness in the imago Dei?” and “Is AI a manifestation of progress or a threat to human dignity?”
Drawing upon her extensive experience as a defence research scientist in India, Dr Christie underscored the emergence of ‘technologies of concern’, particularly in the domains of warfare and armaments. She cautioned that when such advanced technologies fall into the wrong hands, are influenced by problematic datasets or instructions, or are developed by biased individuals or systems, they can engender devastating and far-reaching consequences.
Exploring the opportunities AI offers for Christian missions, from sermon preparation and worship graphics to devotionals and generative content for youth and children’s ministries, Dr Christie said, “Just like past technologies, AI is neutral in itself; it becomes good or evil depending on how humans apply it.”
“For missionaries, AI translation tools are breaking barriers, enabling sermons and texts to be instantly accessible in multiple languages, fostering unity across cultures. AI-powered analytics also help pastors understand congregational needs more effectively”, she added.
Yet, Dr Christie cautioned that these opportunities also come with risks. She warned that as AI simulates reasoning, creativity, and even compassion, it could undermine human uniqueness in the Imago Dei. She expressed concern over attempts to create AI avatars of the deceased, warning against “commercialising grief by making AI avatars of the dead” and contrasting such digital immortality with the Christian hope of resurrection. Similarly, depictions of Jesus through AI vlogs or casual portrayals risk trivialising Christ’s majesty, for “the real Jesus is greater than any AI-generated version.”
Other challenges she identified during her presentation included the potential idolatry of technology. “Technology can become an idol when it demands absolute trust,” she cautioned, urging churches to be wary of elevating efficiency and spectacle to the level of the Gospel. She also emphasised the depersonalisation of ministry, reminding Christians that while AI may support pastoral work, “The Word became flesh” underscores the need for discipleship to remain incarnational and Spirit-led, and not replaced by digital simulations.
Dr Christie proposed a theological-ethical lens emphasising human dignity and human flourishing, all anchored in Christological and eschatological perspectives; “The goal is to keep Artificial Intelligence a servant of humanity, not its master.”
Dr Christie concluded her presentation with a reflection on the Great Commission, and she raised the question, “Will AI be used to build God’s Kingdom, spreading the Gospel, serving the poor, and equipping disciples? Or will it serve the world’s agenda of control, deception, and idolatry?”
