Around 90% of new technology has been produced within the last two years. Most of us have no hope of keeping up with everything that is being created – let alone figuring out how to use it. But there’s a couple of compelling argument for why we need to give it a go.
Argument one: It’s an issue of social justice
The World Council of Churches maintains that…”In a world where information communication technologies drive access to core educational and work opportunities…working towards fair and equitable access to communication infrastructure must be seen as a part of the Christian call for social justice in an information-based society.”
In most leadership positions outside of the church, work is largely done through the sharing, creating, using, and transmitting of information through online tools, where a large portion of our communication occurs. This is especially true for younger generations.
Many of our Churches are on the offline side of the digital divide. We have largely neglected the work of equipping our leaders with the tools to minister with and through rapidly developing online technology. But we can change that.
Argument two: there’s a lot of fascinating stuff out there
There’s an AI-powered app that will let you talk to Jesus. You can also talk to Mary, the 12 Apostles, Moses, and dozens of other biblical characters (even Satan if you dare). The quickly developing intelligence of AI as modelled in its messages might surprise you. Give it a go. While the premise of this app might feel a bit strange to you I am sure you can imagine the potential.
Sora from OpenAI is a text to video generator that can create full videos of up to 1 minute long. The videos are pretty amazing. It’s still unavailable to the general public but there are lots of other ones you can access.
There are countless other tools, apps and platforms out there and there will be even more tomorrow.
Of course, they all need to be approached with wisdom and discernment using a leadership framework of Te Oranga Ake – flourishing for all people and creation – to safeguard our use of digital technology. I think we are up to the task.
The Reverend Blythe Cody