Biola University has launched a new type of Artificial Intelligence Lab (AI Lab) for research and interdisciplinary engagement where Christian principles actively guide the advancement and utilization of AI.
First of its kind, the lab will serve as a central hub for faculty from all disciplines and students from all majors with an emphasis on collaboration and theological integration to better understand AI and its impact on society and the Christian faith.
Dr. Dave Bourgeois, professor of business analytics in the Crowell School of Business at Biola, will serve as director of the AI Lab, which will be located in the Crowell School of Business building.
"The mission of the AI Lab at Biola is to educate, engage and experiment with AI in a way that reflects the Christian commitment to moral and ethical discernment, human dignity, and the unique capacities inherent in the image of God," said Bourgeois. "We aim to be a resource center, actively shaping the future of AI by providing education, fostering dialogue, and leading innovative AI projects rooted in the Christian tradition."
Unlike other AI labs at colleges across the nation, the AI Lab at Biola will be grounded in theological principles that will guide discussions and practical applications and will be an interdisciplinary hub for academic programs across campus.
Research from Barna Group underscores the lab's significance, revealing that self-identified Christians exhibit a greater inclination toward integrating AI into their professional endeavors compared to non-Christians. With 62% of Christians in the workforce reporting frequent or occasional use of AI, as opposed to 49% among non-Christians, the lab is a vital space where Christian values shape the trajectory of AI development.
"The lab not only fosters digital literacy but also advocates for the ethical and faith-aligned application of technology, addressing the need for education and dialogue in light of potential skepticism or distrust associated with AI usage in spiritual contexts," said Dean of the Crowell School of Business, Dr. Michael Arena.
In addition to the AI Lab, Biola will launch an AI Studio designed for collaboration with local businesses and nonprofits to advance external AI solutions and businesses for kingdom impact, and offering five new classes in the fall.
To learn more about the AI Lab at Biola, based in La Mirada, California, visit the website: https://www.biola.edu/ai-lab.
