BOULDER, Colo. (BP) — Artificial intelligence (AI) could organize worship music sets, plan church budgets and perform administrative tasks as well as or better than humans, half or more of Christians said in new research from Barna Group and Gloo.
Reaching online audiences and creating online content for outreach are also prime areas for AI contributions, Christians told researchers.
But sermon planning and writing, and spiritual and mental health counseling, are best left to humans, Christians said in Barna’s “Faith and AI” research conducted in partnership with Gloo.
“It’s no surprise that most Christian adults believe ministry tasks requiring a personal touch should be done by humans,” Steele Billings, head of AI at Gloo, said July 9 upon the data’s release. “But what may be surprising to most ministry leaders is that many Christians are optimistic about using AI beyond just everyday administrative tasks.”
Specifically:
- 53% of Christians believe AI could organize music sets as well as or better than humans, 41% would leave the work to humans and 6% aren’t sure.
- 50% believe AI could give financial advice in church budgeting, 39% believe humans are best and 10% are uncertain.
- 67% believe AI could perform just as well as or better than humans in administrative tasks such as scheduling and planning, 28% would prefer a human’s hand and 4% are unsure.
Christians are more likely to give AI the upper hand in reaching larger online audiences, with a plurality of 40% saying AI is best for the task. Only 29% said humans would be best, 23% ranked humans and AI about the same and 9% were undecided.
But Christians remain committed to humans for spiritual counseling, with 86% preferring humans in the job. Only 3% said AI could counsel humans better than humans themselves, with 7% ranking both equal and 4% unsure.
Similarly, 84% of Christians believe humans are best at mental health counseling, 6% saying AI could do better, 6% ranking both equally and 4% unsure.
Sermon writing is also better left to humans, study participants said, with 63% ranking humans higher, 11% giving a hands up to AI, 21% saying AI and humans could perform about the same and 4% undecided.
“We know from our recent research findings that most people, not just Christians,” Billings said, “are navigating where and when to use AI in alignment with their personal values.”
Among the general population, most U.S. adults disapprove of AI-generated literature and artwork; although most younger adults embrace AI in creative fields including art, music and storytelling.
“The research shows gradual but dynamic shifts in how individuals engage with this technology, from ethical considerations to a desire for greater competency in its use,” said Barna lead researcher Ashley Ekmay. “As AI continues to evolve, there are signs that people are increasingly grappling with its implications.”
Currently among U.S. adults at large, 44% approve of AI-generated literature and 38% are strongly opposed to AI-generated art that imitates the style of famous artists.
But among younger adults, 61% said AI could contribute to art, music and storytelling, compared to 32% of Boomers.
In gathering the data, researchers surveyed 1,072 adults May 21-31 and observed a quota random sampling methodology including region, ethnicity, education, age and gender. Researchers reported a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.
A study overview is available here.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.)
