Moderator calls for responsible use of AI

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has urged the church to adopt a responsible and ethical approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as digital technologies increasingly shape ministry, communication, and administration.

In his address on Wednesday at the ongoing 26th General Assembly at the Ramseyer Training Centre, Abetifi–Kwahu, the Moderator highlighted the rapid global shift into the Fourth and emerging Fifth Industrial Revolutions, driven by digitalisation, automation, AI, cyber‑physical systems, and human–machine collaboration. He described the transformation as “unlike anything humankind has experienced before.”

He noted that AI and social media are already reshaping how churches worldwide connect, teach, and organise. While these tools offer new possibilities for evangelism, discipleship, administration, and outreach, he cautioned that they also present serious risks if not handled responsibly.

“AI can process information, but it cannot shepherd hearts,” he said, adding that “AI can be a good servant but a bad and dangerous master.” He warned that AI’s ability to mimic human reasoning could tempt churches to rely on it for teaching, counselling, or decision‑making, roles that must remain rooted in biblical truth and pastoral care.

To safeguard the church’s witness, the Moderator proposed that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana develop a clear AI policy and ethical guidelines addressing truthfulness, privacy, stewardship, accountability, and the rejection of misinformation and deepfakes. He emphasised that AI, as a product of human creativity, must always operate under the authority of Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

By Jerome Otchere