July 31, 2025, 10:20am MDT
While in Istanbul, Republic of Turkier, Elder Gerit W. Gong, a quorum of 12 Apostles, was sought by the faith community to support safe, ethical and reliable artificial intelligence.
His speech at the World Council of Peace on July 29th was entitled “Faith, Ethics, and Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI).”
“As we enter the unknown technical and ethical realms, we need to match moral values with ethical principles based on AI’s broad index reach and enduring faith,” he said.
His remarks were reported in a news release from the European newsroom of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a full speech text posted on Churchofjesuschrist.org.
Elder Gong said that AI is constantly being reshaped and that benchmarks are not fully established.
“We stand up to deep questions: what it means to be human, who we define perception “truth” with, the emotional relationship between humans and AI (including AI peers), and the business model.
Elder Gong said that once this world enters such an unchanging territory, it is time to combine ethical principles based on enduring faith with moral values and AI. He called for global faith leaders to act in three AI-centric areas that affect faith, ethics and human dignity.
1. Helping to understand that society is not God
“A set of utilitarian AI algorithms should not determine or speak out about our most precious human values and spiritual experiences. AI cannot provide inspired God’s truths or independent moral guidance,” he said.
Those who try to make AI God may find themselves in the modern Tower of Babel, where artificial efforts cannot reach heaven.
According to Elder Gong, when people communicate personally with God, the most precious truth, comfort, revelation and guidance occurs.
2. Consciously choose and use AI as a tool for good
The world will need the best that religious and moral heritage can offer, Elder Gong said.
“As religious leaders, we can intentionally articulate and nurture the vision of a world that counters algorithmic efficiency and AI that drives AI to protect and promote human prosperity and common prosperity.”
3. Champion of safe, ethical and reliable AI
Elder Gong said that moral compasses should not be dedicated only by small groups with advanced technology or AI. Instead, a united effort envelops faith-based, civic and technological leaders is needed to advocate for safe, responsible, human-centered AI.
Faith must be involved, as religious followers contribute in important ways to human prosperity and common prosperity, Elder Gong explained. He cited Pew Research Center statistics showing that 76% of people around the world identify with religion. He then pointed out that many people are deeply concerned about the future of AI and are skeptical of businesses, countries and governments.
“Even in a world influenced by secular thinking, citizens everywhere, not just religious believers, want the AI to be safe and reliable,” Elder Gong said.
Faith Community AI Evaluation
In March 2024, Elder Gong introduced guidelines for the use of AI in Latter-day Saints Church employees around the world.
These principles include spiritual connection, transparency, privacy and security, and accountability. Elder Gong invited church employees to pray and consider the proper use of AI, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In his speech in the Republic of Turkier, Elder Gong sought mutual respect and practical dialogue among religious leaders in cooperation with these issues.
What he called the “faith community AI assessment” is useful, he said. This assessment helps ensure that the AI system respectfully portrays people of faith and religious beliefs with a high degree of respect.
AI assessments of faith communities can also provide training and use cases “includes training that reflects faith-based moral and ethical objectives, principles, and our highest pluralistic and social values.” Such ratings can also provide valuable additional AI checks and balance, he said.
Elder Gong declares, “In the Christian tradition, Jesus Christ declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). In the coming days, let us unite our best efforts to identify the best ways and truths of our lives with faith, ethics and human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. ”
