Photo: Juha Kinanen
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) participated in this year's European Christian Internet Conference (ECIC), held from 9 to 11 September, hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Bossey, Geneva. The conference, themed "What is Truth? – Ethical and Practical Issues in the Use of AI," brought together a diverse group of communication professionals to address the complexities of artificial intelligence in the digital age.
ECIC has been at the forefront of integrating digital advancements with Christian values. This year’s event attracted a wide range of participants, including online pastors, digital strategists, content creators, and web and social media managers, all collaborating to tackle pressing ethical concerns surrounding AI.
Naveen Qayyum, Communication Officer at CEC, noted the conference's significance: "As the digital age advances, European churches are adapting to AI while facing its ethical challenges. Our collaboration with Christian communicators is essential for effectively using digital tools and addressing these challenges from a unique church perspective."
Agnieszka Godfrejów-Tarnogórska, President of ECIC and spokesperson for the CEC Member Church the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland, emphasised the conference's focus: "As Christian communicators, we are called to witness to the truth in an increasingly algorithm-driven world. We must critically examine AI's use and advocate for transparency, fairness, and accountability, ensuring it aligns with Christian values and promotes justice."
Marianne Ejdersten, Director of Communication at the WCC, highlighted the transformative impact of digital technologies: "These technologies offer new ways to communicate, inform, and advocate for human dignity and rights. The ECIC, founded 28 years ago with WACC's support, reflects the diverse expressions of Christianity across Europe, showing how digital advancements are reshaping our interactions and advocacy."
The conference featured a series of insightful presentations on AI and its implications. Christine Ulrich from Munich discussed the challenges of seeking truth in journalism amid political and technological pressures. Dr Erin Green from Brussels explored how customised AI can advance communication rights. Prof. Dr Holger Sievert from Cologne examined AI's relevance to large European churches. George Zarkadakis provided a perspective on how AI differs from previous technological innovations, while Hovig Etyemezian from Geneva addressed the ethical and practical considerations of AI from the UNHCR's standpoint.
The European Christian Internet Conference remains a crucial platform for exploring the intersection of faith and technology, guiding Christian communicators through a rapidly evolving digital landscape.