The dialogue occurred among scientists, ethicists, and theologians, who focused on various facets of the risks of AI, including the AI arms race. The expert panel examined the risks of the AI arms race between the US and China; whether an international rules-based order can limit these developments; and how faith communities can respond. Rev. Dr Stavros Kofinas, moderator of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, expressed appreciation for the speakers and participants for collectively refusing to accept simplistic answers. He noted that AI already affects “health systems, research, governance, and the daily lives of our people in many communities.” He also reflected on the urgency of the conversation—not only in the webinar but also in churches. “We stand at a threshold moment,” he said. “These developments should not be dismissed lightly.” Peter Kuhnert, cochair of the Working Group for Faith and Science, under the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, moderated the discussion, posing questions to the panelists such as: “How do you understand this time in the history of humanity’s development of technology—and how might faith traditions respond?” Dr Max Tegmark, president and cofounder of the Future of Life Institute, opened his reflection by noting that asking the over-generalized question “are we for or against technology?” is analogous to asking if we are for or against fire. “Of course we’re for fire to help feed the hungry, for warm meals—and we’re against fire to burn down a neighbor’s house,” he said. “The question is: can we provide more leadership to make sure the technology is used for good, not for evil.” Archbishop Emerita Dr Antje Jackelén, former archbishop of the Church of Sweden, noted that, if we see technology as helping the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the deaf to hear, this can be a mark of the messianic age. “In principle, theologians should welcome technological progress that alleviates suffering—but then technological progress is not morally neutral,” she said, further asking questions such as: “Who benefits from a certain technological advancement in the short run, and who in the long run?" Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace, reflected that the ecumenical movement has been dealing and engaging with technological developments for quite a long time. “Long before AI, churches were already asking: what happens when human power outpaces human wisdom?” At the Stockholm Conference on Life and Work in 1925, Mtata noted, church elders confronted the disruptive nature of technology. “Machines were viewed to be reshaping labor, cities, and economic systems,” he said. “Technological capacity without moral responsibility could threaten the whole human civilization." Dr Brian Green, director of Technology Ethics at the Markkula Centre for Applied Ethics at the Santa Clara University in California (US) brought forth questions and examples of oversight that ensures technological products are safe and reliable. He also highlighted the long-time involvement of the Roman Catholic Church in wrestling with morality and technology. “Pope Francis was extremely interested in AI as a subject,” Green noted. “He was interested in it around 2015, so quite early.” The “The risks of artificial general intelligence: how should faith communities respond?” webinar was part of an ongoing series on AI being offered by the World Council of Churches. Watch the full webinar | 
