What comes to mind when you consider Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Do you think of intelligent war machines like “The Terminator” seeking to eliminate humanity, or an AI algorithm used for early detection of cancer, or something else?

Recent advances in artificial intelligence are prompting conversations about God in academic circles in Europe.

One Christian professor connected with Cru, Dr. Thilo Stadelmann, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, notes that ‘AI doomers’ — who believe AI will lead to the end of humanity or to a catastrophic event — raise spiritual questions when they encourage other scientists to “slow down the race to God-like AI.”

Dr. Stadelmann sees new openness among his colleagues: “AI is a game changer for testifying as a Christian. Why? Because the ‘AI doomers’ argue purely from worldview, opening up possibilities to talk about other world-views and spirituality.”

Dr. Stadelmann’s university department recently hosted Christian academic Graham Budd from Cambridge University to discuss “What kind of future do we want for humanity in a world of super-intelligent AI?”

The discussion introduced a decidedly Christian view on the topic—yet the audience of secular, materialist academics engaged enthusiastically.

Since 1088, when universities were invented, most revivals have begun with professors and students. Also, cultural trends seem to emerge on European campuses before spreading to the US. Academic concerns about AI may be a door to the gospel in Europe and the US.

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