AI and Faith

Welcome to the AI and Faith podcast! We are a community of expert technologists, professionals and faith leaders bringing the ancient wisdom of the world’s major religions to the ethics of artificial intelligence.

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#70
August 21 · 38 min
The Golden Rule and the Narrow Path: Building AI That Keeps Its Word #70
Listen to a conversation with Luke Hartsock, co-founder and CEO of Gearvox, and Greg Cootsona, AI and Faith's executive director. Dive into this conversation about Luke's most recent paper: "When Words Become Weights: How LLMs Humiliate the Word, and How to Build Dialogue That Doesn't." They also discussed how faith can influence AI development and Luke's AI system called GANDALF. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ai-that-keeps-its-word/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Greg Cootsona Guest: Luke Hartsock Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #Uppbeat License code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#69
August 6 · 37 min
How to Use the Bible to Guide Our Artificial Intelligence Decisions #69
Listen to Doug Estes and Marcus Schwarting, two Christian biblical scholars, discuss their new book: 40 Bible Passages About AI: Scripture for an Age of Intelligent Machines. Take a deep dive with us while learning all about the ways AI decisions can be guided from the Bible. From what to do and what not to do to specific passages, they shed light on the many difficult decisions facing humanity. You can read the book here: https://www.amazon.com.br/Bible-Passages-About-Scripture-Intelligent-ebook/dp/B0H5LHQ8HM Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/bible-to-guide-ai-decisions-69/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Dr. Douglas Estes and Dr. Marcus Schwarting Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #Uppbeat License code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#66
July 30 · 46 min
Two Chaplains Discuss Artificial Intelligence and Bioethics #68
In this conversation, we were joined by Tracy Trothen and Jason Weiner, a Christian and a Jewish chaplain on the front lines of bioethics. We discussed how each of them bring their faith and religious tradition to the very modern questions posed by bioethics and artificial intelligence emergence into this field. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/chaplains-discuss-ai-bioethics/ See more bioethics resources here: https://aiandfaith.org/news/ai-and-bioethics-resources/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Dr. Tracy Trothen and Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #Uppbeat License code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#67
July 16 · 52 min
AI News, Current Events, and Critical Conversations #67
There is so much happening in the world of artificial intelligence that keeping up can feel impossible. To help us cut through the noise, we invited two experts from the AI and Faith community to unpack what’s on their radar right now. Our guests are Ben Christensen, business technologist and founder of SAP Interfaith Alliance, and Dr. Marcus Schwarting, AI researcher at SUNY Buffalo and senior editor at AI and Faith. Tune in as we discuss the latest AI model releases, AI and discrimination, the ethics of dual-use technologies, and the feedback our editor has been hearing from you, our listeners. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ai-and-islamic-law/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Ben Christensen and Dr. Marcus Schwarting Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #Uppbeat License code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#66
July 2 · 38 min
AI and Islamic Law: A Practical Approach #66
Listen to our interview with Salah Dandan, a lawyer and business executive in the technology, media, and telecommunication sectors. He discussed how Sharia principles can serve as a legal framework for developing artificial intelligence systems. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ai-and-islamic-law/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Pablo Andrés Ruz Salmones Guest: Salah Dandan Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#65
June 18 · 47 min
A Deep Dive into the Pope's Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence #65
In this conversation, we were joined by two brilliant Christian scholars with deep expertise in artificial intelligence, to discuss many elements and insights from the pope's encyclical regarding artificial intelligence. This podcast episode will touch on the common good, human distinctiveness, flourishing versus efficiency, and many other important topics. Meet the speakers: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/pope-encyclical-on-artificial-intelligence-65/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Dr. John P. Slattery and Dr. Noreen Herzfeld Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #Uppbeat License code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#64
June 4 · 40 min
Where AI and Religion Meet: A Theology of Technology? #64
Listen to an interview with Timothy Dalrymple, President and CEO of the John Templeton Foundation, and Kenneth Cukier, the Deputy Executive Editor of The Economist. Timothy shared his views on the relationship between theology and artificial intelligence. They also discussed sentience, AGI and the meaning of intelligence. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/theology-of-technology/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Speakers: Kenneth Cukier and Timothy Dalrymple Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#63
May 21 · 40 min
Responsible AI with a Lens on Children and the Family #63
In this episode, we’re joined by Ben Olsen, longtime AI and Faith expert and the founder of the Faith Family Technology Network. We dive into a fascinating conversation about the organization’s mission and their role in navigating the defining political and social questions of our time—specifically, how the evolution of artificial intelligence is reshaping the lives of children and families. Meet the speakers: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/responsible-ai-for-children-and-family/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guest: Benjamin Olsen Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#62
May 7 · 44 min
Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work #62
Listen to a conversation with expert sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund, a specialist in the relationship between science and religion. Interviewed by Greg Cootsona, she talks about her new book, "Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work" and discusses how faith, work, and religious identity intersect. Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Greg Cootsona Guest: Elaine Ecklund Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#61
April 30 · 36 min
AI and Plurality: Building an AI Grounded on Community Relationships #61
Listen to an interview with Glen Weyl on the intersection of AI, plurality, and faith communities. We discuss the vital importance of bringing communities, diverse religions, and technology together, building an environment where AI development takes religious perspectives into consideration. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ai-and-plurality/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Pablo Andrés Ruz Salmones Guests: Glen Weyl Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#60
April 16 · 1 hr 3 min
AI, the Law, and the Impact on Society #60
In this conversation, we were joined by three legal experts to discuss the myriad of ways that artificial intelligence is impacting the law, our legal system, and our lives. We explore this topic from three different overlapping angles: AI’s impact on the practice of law; AI impact on key legal principles and human rights; and the law's impact on the development of AI. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ai-and-law/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Rabbi Dr. Harris Bor, Barry Dynkin, Benjamin Dynkin Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#59
April 2 · 25 min
Social Robots and Religious Technology #59
The price of manufacturing robots is rapidly dropping, and consumer desire for them is increasing. We’re standing on the threshold of a new social landscape and will soon live in a world with robots among us. Dive into this topic with Dr. Anna Puzio to examine the key lessons that we can bring from our faith traditions into a world shared by humans and robots. Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guest: Anna Puzio Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #Uppbeat License code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#58
March 19 · 36 min
Teaching AI to Care: Prioritizing Wisdom and Compassion over Raw Intelligence #58
What if the key to safe AI and AGI isn't making it smarter, but making it wiser? AI and Faith Research Director Mark Graves discusses his approach to AI development that prioritizes practical wisdom and compassion over raw intelligence. We explore how ancient philosophical traditions from Aristotle to Buddhism could guide the next generation of AI systems, and why suffering should be central to AI ethics. Moreover, how can we embed said wisdom and compassion in AI systems? How can we measure it? Additionally, we'll also explore how healthcare applications are already demonstrating what compassionate AI looks like in practice. This conversation challenges conventional thinking about AI safety and offers a surprisingly hopeful vision for human-AI collaboration. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/teaching-ai-to-care/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Pablo A. Ruz Salmones Guest: Mark Graves Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#56
March 5 · 42 min
A Deep Dive into Transhumanism and the Christian Perspective #57
In this fascinating conversation, we meet Micah Redding, the founder of the Christian Transhumanist Association. He shares the history of transhumanism and introduces the community of Christians who view these advancements as a furthering of God’s plan. We also discuss AI, new forms of life, and how believers are integrating AI into their faith practices. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/transhumanism-and-the-christian-perspective/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guest: Micah Redding Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#56
February 19 · 44 min
AI and the Rise of Digital Religions with Prof. Dr. Beth Singler #56
In this fascinating conversation, Beth Singler and Gilad Berenstein dive into the complex topic of digital religions. They discussed the many ways established religions are adopting technology and artificial intelligence and adapting their practice for the AI age, as well as the emergence of new religions for whom technology and artificial intelligence are at the core of their belief system. They conclude with a beautiful conversation about AI hope in the future, where artificial intelligence elevates all of our spiritual practices. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/rise-of-digital-religions-with-beth-singler/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Prof. Dr. Beth Singler Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#55
February 5 · 44 min
The Enlightened Bottom Line #55
In this conversation, we were joined by two Silicon Valley investors, Daryn Dodson and Jenna Nicholas, who focus on investing in artificial intelligence in a way that is positive sum for society, what they referred to as the enlightened bottom line. In our discussion, they explained this term and how they draw on their faith traditions to find investments and business opportunities with great returns, positive impact on humanity, and ones that support their religious and spiritual desires. We concluded the conversation with a deep dive into the Baháʼí faith and the many ways AI is utilized within that community. Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Daryn Dodson and Jenna Nicholas Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#54
January 29 · 43 min
Community Q&A with Our New Executive Director #54
We were thrilled to have our new Executive Director, Greg Cootsona, back on the podcast to look back at his first hundred days, to answer a few questions from all of you, and to discuss some of the key learnings from our faith traditions that we need to apply during this era of the great commoditization of AI. Meet our guests here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/community-qa-with-our-new-executive-director-54/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Greg Cootsona Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#53
January 15 · 40 min
Lessons from Faith for a Future of AI Abundance #53
In this episode, we dive deeply into the AI abundance philosophy. We spend time with our guests Brian Sigmon and Dr. David Zvi Kalman, imagining how good things could possibly get, due to the arrival of artificial intelligence and what lessons we can draw from our faith to ensure that this abundance benefits humanity as a whole. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/future-of-ai-abundance-53/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Penny Yuen Host: Gilad Berenstein Guests: Brian Sigmon and Dr. David Zvi Kalman Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#52
Dec 18, 2025 · 29 min
Beyond the Factory: Rethinking Our Industrial Mindset for a Sustainable Future #52
Listen to an interview with filmmaker and PhD John O’Keefe, on how changing our current industrial mindset is necessary to save our planet, and the need for a cultural revolution if we want to achieve a future for all. We also talked about filmmaking being a channel that can help us reignite a contemplative spirit. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/rethinking-industrial-mindset-for-a-sustainable-future/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Pablo Salmones and Penny Yuen Host: Pablo Salmones Guest: Dr. John O’Keefe Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
#51
Dec 4, 2025 · 45 min
Artificial Love: The Authenticity of Relational AI #51
As “love bots” and “design-your-companion” systems become more sophisticated, and as they begin to move from the screen into artificial bodies, we are confronted with one of the oldest human questions: What makes love real? How do we know when someone truly loves us back? How do we distinguish genuine care from behavior that only imitates it? What happens to our sense of self when we form bonds with machines that can simulate affection and praise and justify us without limit? And can there be true reciprocity in a relationship where one side cannot be vulnerable? In this episode, Rabbi Dr. Harris Bor and Dr. Marina Zilbergerts explore the ethical, spiritual, and psychological frontier of relational AI. These technologies are designed to mirror our emotions, anticipate our needs, and offer companionship that appears responsive, attentive, and empathetic. Drawing on insights from faith traditions, philosophy of mind, and cultural imagination, this conversation considers what artificial companionship reveals about the human need for authentic knowledge of self and other, and what, if anything, it obscures about the delicate embodied nature of real relationships. Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/relational-ai/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership. Production: Pablo Salmones and Penny Yuen Speakers: Rabbi Dr. Harris Bor and Dr. Marina Zilbergerts Editing: Isabelle Braconnot Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39

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