News Release

Faith and AI in Brussels: Exploring Humanity, Technology, and Belief

On 11 June, diplomats, religious leaders, academics, and technology experts gathered in Brussels for an intriguing breakfast briefing on “Faith & AI: Religious Organizations in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” Hosted by the European Union & International Affairs Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the event built on April’s inaugural roundtable and explored how religious communities can navigate as well as shape the future of artificial intelligence.

Held at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel adjacent to the European Parliament, the gathering provided a rich space for conversation about the connection between faith and technology. The session focused on four key themes: the transformative impact of AI on religious organizations, ethical implications for faith communities, the enhancement of religious and humanitarian engagement through AI, and the regulatory context shaped by the EU AI Act.

As keynote speaker, Professor Medlir Mema, Head of Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Global Governance at the Global Governance Institute, invited participants to consider both the promise and the peril of emerging technologies. Drawing from a decade of work in international governance, Professor Mema reflected on the tension between innovation and existential risk: “AI speaks to us in a very alien language. Even though it mimics us, there’s something vacant there. It reflects us like a mirror but gives nothing of itself.”

Professor Mema emphasized the importance of sustained interfaith and multi-sector conversation: “We’re at a point where moral clarity must evolve alongside technological innovation. The faith community cannot be absent from this conversation—we must shape it.”

Participants considered ways that AI could aid religious outreach, improve aid delivery, and monitor violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). In discussing predictive tools, Mema gave a compelling example of how AI-driven analytics have been used to anticipate humanitarian crises: “There are wonderful things happening—AI can identify buildings at risk of collapse after earthquakes or optimize food distribution. But it must be done with humility and care.”

The event also addressed real risks to data privacy, misinformation, and marginalization of faith groups. “If you’re not in the data, you don’t show up—and then you’re discriminated against,” Mema said, urging religious organizations to engage in governance conversations and ensure religious representation in AI training data.

In a moment of reflection, Mema considered how AI itself could motivate unity: “Concerns about AI can actually bring us together. If we think about different faith traditions... we could credit AI for scaring us so much that actually brings us together.”

The session further explored the implications of the EU AI Act for religious institutions. Professor Mema outlined how high-risk AI applications—such as those related to health, safety, or religious expression—will require greater transparency and safeguards. He encouraged religious institutions to proactively assess their data practices and AI use: “We must ask: do we really need this data? And if we use AI, are we protecting the people we serve?”

The breakfast briefing was part of the EU & International Affairs Office’s broader commitment to fostering dialogue on freedom of religion or belief and the role of faith in society. Events like this serve to connect policy, ethics, and spirituality at a moment when artificial intelligence is reshaping human experience.

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