607Z Fall 2026 It’s Time to Think Biblically About Artificial Intelligence

When you can pay $1.99 a minute to talk to AI Jesus, it becomes clear that people of the Book (Bible) must take a closer look at whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) is just another tool or is an alternate or replacement worldview. Unknown to many casual observers of AI is that several of the founders and current promoters of AI see it as a replacement worldview or new way of understanding reality itself. This course will look and listen to what AI-evangelists say they expect from AI and compare that to five specific purposes identified in Biblical passages. This will include the topics of work, justice/mercy, family/human community, knowledge/wisdom, and communion with God. The course is premised on the Protestant Bible but will also include points from the Hebrew, Catholic, and Orthodox Bibles. Class participants do not need to have any faith, only a willingness to make an honest assessment of whether AI aligns or doesn't with Biblical scripture.

Karen Wheeless has spent over a decade teaching both graduates and undergraduates in organizational behavior, writing, marketing, and IT policy and planning at several universities. Prior to teaching, she spent a career as a civil service executive at multiple federal agencies.