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As the digital world reshapes almost every aspect of human life, questions around the impact of technology on faith and morality have taken center stage. SMU’s Perkins School of Theology will address these pressing concerns at its 2024 Fall Convocation, titled Faith in a Digital Age, taking place on the SMU campus in Dallas, TX November 14-15. The event will explore the tension between viewing technology as a spiritual blessing or curse, offering insights from theologians and tech experts alike.
Exploring the Blessings and Curses of Technology
The two-day event will dive into the complex relationship between faith and technology. On one hand, digital platforms offer opportunities for building spiritual communities and sharing religious practices. On the other hand, as keynote speaker Cole Arthur Riley notes, technology can distort faith. “The current of urgency in a digital space can lead to inauthentic expressions of faith,” she warns, reflecting on how social media often speeds up interactions at the cost of spiritual depth.
Riley encourages a shift toward communal spirituality, suggesting that while digital spaces can be healing, they also risk alienating people from more contemplative, authentic expressions of faith. “I’ve leaned into a collective voice,” she says, emphasizing the need for faith practices to go beyond the individual in a digital context.
The Ethical Dilemmas of AI
Key to the event’s exploration of technology is the role of artificial intelligence in one’s faith. Noreen Herzfeld, an expert in theology and computer science, believes its important to consider whether AI is a spiritual tool or a potential hazard. “Technology is an amplifier,” Herzfeld explains. “It will amplify the goodness in us, but also our sinful nature”. Her talk will confront the ethical questions surrounding AI, asking whether it will enhance human dignity or degrade it in a world increasingly driven by machine learning. She cautions that the first question should always be, “How could this go wrong?” urging faith leaders to assess potential risks before fully embracing digital tools.
Digital Platforms: Spiritual Tool or Distraction?
Another theme of the convocation will be the impact of social media and digital platforms on spiritual life. In a world where people are constantly connected, there’s debate over whether technology dilutes spiritual practices like prayer and meditation or offers new opportunities for engagement. Robert Hunt, Director of Global Theological Education at Perkins, will explore how AI and social media are reshaping ministry practices. “The AI revolution will make the Humanities the most important part of any university,” Hunt says, urging leaders to focus on the human aspects of these technological shifts.
Engage, Reflect, and Learn
Attendees will be invited to wrestle with these questions in a welcoming, inclusive space where diverse perspectives are valued. The event aims to provide faith leaders and spiritually-minded individuals with practical tools for navigating the digital world while maintaining their spiritual integrity. Interactive sessions and table discussions will allow participants to critically engage with the moral questions posed by AI and digital media, fostering a collective search for ethical solutions.
Ultimately, this convocation will equip attendees to decide for themselves whether technology is a blessing, a curse, or something in between, challenging their assumptions about how digital innovations intersect with their spiritual lives.
For more information and to register for the event, visit SMU Perkins Fall Convocation.
Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity,Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.
Contact Info:
Name: Andy Keck
Email: Send Email
Organization: SMU Perkins | Faith in a Digital Age
Address: 5905 Bishop Blvd Dallas TX 75205
Phone: 214-768-3473
Website: https://www.smu.edu/perkins/publicprograms/perkins-fall-convocation
Release ID: 89143812
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