GAiN South America 2024 Discusses the Ethics and Evangelism of AI
05 November, 2024
The Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN) South America 2024 was held from October 24 to 27, 2024. Communications leaders attended the event aimed to discuss and train participants on integrating artificial intelligence and technology into evangelism. This year’s event was held at the Novo Tiempo headquarters, located in São Paulo, Brazil.
Through workshops and lectures, the convention not only addressed the benefits of AI but also the ethical implications. Leaders confronted the misconceptions surrounding AI and showed the ways it can be used as a tool, such as Esperanza, the Church’s first AI virtual Bible teacher. Using WhatsApp, she provides real-time answers and offers Bible studies tailored to the individual. Jorge Rampogna, director of the Communication Department of the South American Division (SAD), clarified the purpose of AI by saying, “Technology is powerful, but it cannot replace the human touch. We must use AI to better serve people, not to dehumanize our mission.”
Ultimately, the purpose of the event was to remind communication leaders that adapting to new technologies for greater evangelism is the name of the game. Rather than vilify new tools and hope that members will acquiesce to traditional forms of outreach, it is their responsibility to see how ministers of the gospel can utilize new methods in the name of a larger mission. Countless participants attended the convention with personal testimonies of how technology has provided a wider reach and greater impact.
