Elder Gong Calls for Faith Communities to Help Safe, Ethical, Trustworthy AI

While participating in the Religions for Peace World Council in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed the religious leaders on “Faith, Ethics, and Human Dignity in an Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

“As we enter uncharted technological and ethical territory, we need especially now to align AI’s pervasive exponential reach with enduring faith-based ethical principles and moral values,” said Elder Gong.

The Apostle shared three points surrounding AI, each with a call to action for the faith leaders. 

Read Elder Gong's full remarks here. 

First, help society understand AI is not and cannot be God.

Elder Gong stated that AI training and data sources originate from humans, who have limitations and constraints; only God can provide inspired divine truth.

“Those who seek to deify AI may unwittingly discover a modern Tower of Babel. Human efforts to create utopia or to reach heaven always fall short.” Elder Gong continued, “For children of God, platforms and technologies cannot substitute for authentic Divine connection and relationship.”

Church President Russell M. Nelson has said, “The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.”

Second, consciously choose and intentionally use AI as a tool for good.

“Our most human and humane purposes and values … will need the best our religious and moral heritages can offer,” Elder Gong said. As religious leaders, we can “intentionally articulate and create a vision for the world” that “fosters the common good, including human flourishing and common prosperity.”

“As religious leaders, we can help our people anticipate, adapt to, and beneficially use ongoing AI changes. We are not afraid of AI, nor do we think AI will be the solution to everything. We can help our adherents and congregants see AI as a useful tool that, properly and appropriately used, can bless many aspects of daily life,” said Elder Gong.

Third, champion ethical, safe, and trusted AI.

Elder Gong said the moral compass for AI should not be dictated solely by technology or the small group developing AI.

“Even in a world influenced by secular thought, not only religious believers but citizens everywhere want religious and moral leaders to help ensure AI is safe and can be trusted,” said Elder Gong.

The Apostle called for an interfaith effort with leaders and citizens across industry, research, civic and government bodies, and pluralistic faith-based groups “to align AI developments and enduring principles and moral values.”

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Faith Community AI Evaluation

Elder Gong explained how, working collectively with all committed to safe and responsible AI, a “Faith Community AI Evaluation” can provide an additional AI check-and-balance. Such an evaluation could have two focused purposes. First, to help ensure AI systems portray persons of faith and religious beliefs respectfully and accurately. Second, to offer faith-based training sets so AI models can include moral and ethical purposes, principles, and ongoing performance improvement.

“In the Christian tradition, Jesus Christ declares, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’ In coming days, let us unite our best efforts to identify ways and truths that help us live our best lives with faith, ethics, and human dignity in an age of artificial intelligence,” said Elder Gong.

Visit to Historical Sites

While in Istanbul, Elder Gong visited the Hagia Sophia (also known as Ayasofya), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Islamic law specialist Professor Samy Ayoub.

The Apostle also spent time with Professor Recep Şentürk at Ibn Haldun University, which is part of the historic Süleymaniye Mosque complex.

Principles for the Church of Jesus Christ’s Use of AI

In March 2024, Elder Gong introduced guiding principles for using AI to the Church of Jesus Christ employees worldwide.

These principles include spiritual connection, transparency, privacy and security, and accountability.

He also reminded employees to rely on the Holy Spirit, wisdom, and trusted sources to help discern fake content created using AI.

On that occasion, Elder Gong said, “We can create appropriate balances in our perceptions, plans, and implementation of generative AI that are realistic both of opportunity and challenge — put another way, that are neither giddy nor alarmist.”

The Church of Jesus Christ sees opportunities to use AI in areas such as family history work, in language translation and production, and in helping Latter-day Saints find current, accurate information from designated, grounded, and approved Church sources, such as ChurchofJesusChrist.org.