WCC NEWS: Rev. Dr Lesmore Gibson Ezekiel: “Ecumenical movement needs to mitigate misuse of AI”

The World Council of Churches, along with ecumenical and civil society partners, are preparing for the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, convened by the United Nations and being held in Geneva, 6-7 July. Participants in a symposium on "Our Common Future: Advocating for Digital Rights and AI Accountability" held in mid-April in Berlin reflected on some of the issues that will come to the fore in the Global Dialogue. Rev. Dr Lesmore Gibson Ezekiel. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 25 June 2026 Witnessing an increase in misinformation and disinformation on the African continent, Rev. Dr Lesmore Gibson Ezekiel, director of peace, ecclesial leadership, development, interfaith, and theology at the All Africa Conference of Churches, wonders how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in a responsible and accountable manner. After seeing individual voices and images manipulated by AI, and even used to misrepresent people, he believes that addressing these issues ethically has become a matter of urgency and justice.  Lesmore reflected on why the ecumenical movement must work together, both globally and locally, on such moral and ethical issues, sharing that he believes action toward digital justice must be well coordinated on many levels. At the All Africa Conference of Churches, Lesmore has a unique lens on the pressing issues for people on the African continent—and he urged global networks and institutions to support local actions.  “This is essential because the ecumenical movement is not just an institutional movement—it’s the people's movement. And we expect that all those who are involved in the ecumenical movement are oriented by either Christian faith or some other faith, work for a just world where AI is developed, deployed and used responsibly for the common good. If we look at the ethical dimensions of the AI development, we think about leaving no one behind or about amplifying the voices of people who are not often heard,” said Lesmore.  The role of the church Lesmore acknowledged that, in Africa, many people already have challenges of accessibility, affordability, and availability of internet access. “There is a huge number of people who have no access to the internet and therefore have no idea whatsoever with regards to AI,” he said. And he has seen what he regards as an extractivist approach related to AI. “Innocent, vulnerable people who are in the community—their actions have been utilized as data sources to feed into this machine without their knowledge, without their consent,” he said.  People need to guard against data colonization and digital imperialism, Lesmore said: “It is frightening when a video is made of you and you were never involved, but it is in circulation and you say: Where is this coming from? There is fear and so we need to deal with that.” He noted, at the same time, that AI has benefitted healthcare delivery, education, agriculture, and other sectors of society. In other words, he said, AI can be deployed to enhance human well-being. “We need to engage with government agencies and institutions who have constitutional rights, and mandate for the protection of citizens, to put in place appropriate regulations, and policies that will safeguard and protect the people,” he added. Safeguarding human autonomy AI is not replacing human beings in Lesmore’s vision of a digitally just world. “We call for safeguarding human autonomy in terms of how human beings are involved in all of these processes of developing and deployment of AI,” he said.  Yet for Lesmore, it’s okay to embrace AI—as long as people embrace it wisely.  “We are mindful of the autonomous weapons that are used in warfare, robotic weapons that are deployed that have no conscience, that have no human feeling or emotion and can just bomb and destroy lives. We have to reject that openly—as it informs our prophetic engagement as churches.” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC News: “What kind of world are we hoping to build?” WCC commends "Magnifica Humanitas” to all people

Upon the publication of “Magnifica Humanitas,” Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical on artificial intelligence and human dignity, World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm expressed gratitude for the papal social document. Pope Leo XIV signs encyclical letter "Magnifica humanitas" at the Vatican, May 15, 2026. Photo: Vatican Media 26 May 2026 “Magnifica Humanitas” (Latin for “The Magnificent Humanity”), addresses the rapid technological developments in the age of digitalization, which find their most advanced expression in artificial intelligence.  “This development holds great opportunities, but also great risks,” said Bedford-Strohm. “Technological development has gained such momentum that the rules ensuring its responsible use have not kept pace.” This makes a global public discussion about such urgently needed rules all the more important, Bedford-Strohm noted. “One of the goals is to establish effective mechanisms to protect freedom and human dignity against data corporations whose monopoly power is now virtually uncontrollable,” he said. “Especially when it comes to artificial intelligence, the core issue is also the concept of humanity.” Bedford-Strohm added that it is obvious that the churches, with their rich treasure of anthropological reflection, have something important to say here. “That is why we have been discussing this intensely in the last years within the World Council of Churches,” he said. “I am very grateful that Pope Leo is now giving a strong impulse to this discussion with his new encyclical, which will hopefully have as great an impact on the global public as Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’ had on the issue of ecology.” Churches need to raise their voices WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay noted that the WCC has long recognised the advancement and benefits of technology and AI in many areas of life but equally cautioned against the challenges it brings to spiritual, moral, and ethical values if not carefully checked and monitored. “Technology must be used to enhance and develop human life and living and not displace human labour, value, and dignity,” he said. “I am especially grateful to Pope Leo XIV for Magnifica Humanitas, which is very relevant and timely in an age of AI expansion.” Pillay further noted that the theological approach of the encyclical provides a firmly established position as to why churches need to raise their voices of discernment and caution of the risks and consequences that come with AI.  “It acknowledges God's creation of human beings and the capacity of humans to do good, but it also acknowledges the presence of evil and its tragic consequences on human beings and life in the world,” he said. “The wars, conflicts, senseless killing of thousands of people daily, and the use of technology that assists in such destruction must be called into question.” When technology is used for good, serving the human good to build family, community, and world, it is in line with God's plan, noted Pillay. “However, in the hands of the powerful and wealthy, it is a tool for self-service and abuse, and of limited good to those who are poor and marginalised,” he said. “Technology without social responsibility is reshaping power relations and impoverishing human relationships.” Pillay concluded that the encyclical helps us to understand the call to love, grace, and peace. “It poses the question that should always be in our minds, hearts and lips: ‘What kind of world are we trying to build?’ ” he said. “The WCC applauds and commends “Magnifica Humanitas” to all people, not just people of faith, for study, reflection, and action as we seek to build a better world for all people and creation.” Encyclical Letter “Magnifica Humanitas” of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence Pope Leo’s ‘Magnifica humanitas’: AI must serve humanity not concentrate power (Vatican News) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Panel discussion focuses on risks of AI—and how faith communities respond

The World Council of Churches (WCC) hosted an online panel discussion, “The risks of artificial general intelligence: how should faith communities respond?” attended by more than 200 people on 25 February.  Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 26 February 2026 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 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC INTERVIEW: WCC project officer for Faith and Science reflects on why churches need to talk about AI

Michael Buttrey is World Council of Churches (WCC) project officer for Faith and Science. Below, he describes the nature of his work, what draws him to his current role, and why we need to discuss AI in a faith-based context.  Michael Buttrey in the chancel of St. Clement, Eglinton. Photo: Michael Hudson 22 January 2026 As the project officer for Faith and Science, what are some of the efforts on which you’ve been working lately?  Buttrey: The group I support is the Faith and Science Working Group  of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing. One of our priorities right now is AI, and our next few events are webinars talking about AI. The very next one we are doing in 2026 will discuss the “AI arms race.” We will have some interesting folks from different contexts consider whether we need to think of AI as more of a weapon, and whether we need an international arms treaty related to the use of AI. We will discuss the risks and the potential risks.  What drew you to serve the WCC in this way?  Buttrey: I wonder that myself sometimes! I guess things began with my bachelor of arts in science. I studied genetics for my undergraduate degree, worked at a lab, then switched to theology, and went to a seminary. My passion was bioethics. That kind of led me through my doctorate, then I started work for the Canadian Council of Churches. A couple years ago the general secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches was in contact with my boss, Dr Manoj Kurian, the director of the WCC Commission of Churches on Health and Healing, and Dr Kurian wanted more work done in this area, so the Canadian Council of Churches seconded me to the WCC. I believe that, on a global stage, we are all basically talking about the same things. I didn’t really realize this where I’d end up. It seems to have fit quite well! What are one or more of your hopes or visions for the ecumenical movement when it comes to faith and science?  Buttrey: Two things: one is that, it turns out once we start having these conversations, many of the churches describe having different ethical positions on this issue or that issue—but new technologies seem to produce a consensus more easily. I think it’s fair to say that all the churches are concerned about AI. Everyone wants to learn more. Everyone wants to have more conversations. Everyone thinks we should should be discussing AI in a faith-based context. Practically, our final consultations and positions might differ, but we all want to have that conversation. The second issue is that there are very few churches that have enough people with expertise in this area. Churches can’t dedicate many people to these more niche questions. You’re lucky if you have one person who does faith and science, or two people who are interested in AI. That’s not enough people to have a conversation, and so with the work we are doing through the WCC, we can have a full room with different positions.  Would you share an example of a such a “room?”  Buttrey: Yes, in the fall of 2025, we produced a course on faith and genetics. We had about 20 students from all around the world—from Canada to Uganda to Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan. We met for 10 weeks. We had eight guest lecturers. I was coordinating it—which was kind of complicated at times—and it felt truly international. It was a truly varied group of students and teachers, and it came off really well. People made some great connections. We are hoping to do that again. It’s a model of ecumenism on a smaller scale.  See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC news: African church leaders explore artificial intelligence

Amidst an increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), church leaders in Africa have sought a deeper understanding of the technology to ensure that its deployment on the continent respects moral and ethical dimensions. A worshipper uses a mobile phone during a prayer service at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, called on 22 June 2025 to mark the first anniversary of Gen-Z protests in Kenya. Photo: Fredrick Nzwili 22 July 2025 Church leaders at a recent consultation in Nairobi heard that AI, defined as the use of computer systems to perform tasks that require human intelligence, was transforming every aspect of life and influencing human relations across the globe. “We faith leaders need to pay attention to the moral and ethical implications of its development and use. We need to think and pray for wisdom so that we can safeguard the integrity and dignity of creation,” Rev. Dr Fidon Mwombeki, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, told the gathering. The All Africa Conference of Churches and the Future of Life Institute, a US-based organization that works to reduce extreme risks of transformative technologies, organized the 8-9 July meeting to explore the phenomenon’s impact on African societies, its ethical concerns, and the role of religious leaders in its governance. Church leaders from across Africa and experts in the field attended the meeting. Part of the meeting’s outcome included an agreement to establish a permanent All Africa Conference of Churches AI and Faith Working Group, training programs, and the incorporation of AI learning in seminaries and Christian education curricula. Churches will also develop policy briefs for governments and the African Union and come up with an African-centered ethical framework for AI development and use. While AI promises to benefit education, improve healthcare, better agricultural yields, and improve early warnings related to climate and disasters, there is also a complex range of risks, according to the experts. Humphrey Muchuma, founder and chief executive officer, INUA-AI, at the meeting, outlined some of the risks, including the potential to wipe out cultural and religious identity, the spread of disinformation, the intensification of poverty due to job losses, and the compromising of humans' ability to control morality, among others. Muchuma warned that if left unchecked, AI posed a threat to human values, faith, and freedoms. “Religious people must help guide how AI serves Africa’s people,” he said, adding that churches can advocate for ethical AI, educate their followers, and influence policy so that the deployment protects religious freedom. According to the Rev. Dr Lesmore Gibson Ezekiel, director of programs at the All Africa Conference of Churches, the church leaders were apprehensive over AI’s possible disruption of human relations and aspects essential for emotional accompaniment. “AI cannot replace human emotional attachment. Sadly, a sizeable number of young people are relying on AI for many things, including emotional therapy,” he said. Ezekiel said the AI conversation is best addressed through the theology of the economy of life, which enables an individual to ask critical moral and ethical questions.  “Challenges should be responded to through the lenses of the theology of economy of life, knowing that not everything possible is morally and ethically appropriate for human wellbeing,” said the cleric. Faith groups in some countries have made progress in addressing AI concerns. Early this year, the Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence —a collaborative platform of Christians and Muslims —convened multi-sector interventions, advocating for ethical, faith-informed governance of AI. The project attracted 500 stakeholders, including religious leaders, policymakers, and legal experts. “The activities mark a pivotal step in positioning Nigeria’s religious institutions as stakeholders in shaping the nation’s technological future,” Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, director of the Institute of Church and Society, Ibadan, told the gathering. AACC and Future of Life Institute host faith leaders to a consultation on the dynamics of Artificial Intelligence (AACC news release, 7 July 2025) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland