Recently unveiled survey results from the Barna Group shed light on the divergent attitudes towards the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, drawing distinctions between individuals identifying as Christians and their non-Christian counterparts. The survey, a pivotal component of the comprehensive report titled “4 Ways U.S. Adults Are Embracing Artificial Intelligence (or Not),” was conducted during the preceding summer, garnering insights from a diverse pool of over 1,500 adults across the United States.
Conducted in collaboration with Gloo, a prominent technology platform extensively employed by various churches, Barna’s initiative seeks to delve into the evolving perspectives on technology within the faith community. According to the survey outcomes, approximately 62% of Christians actively employed reported frequent use of AI technology in their work, categorizing their usage as “often,” “sometimes,” or “not very much.” In stark contrast, only 49% of non-Christians provided analogous responses, indicating a conspicuous gap in the adoption of AI.
The survey, executed through a consumer research panel online from July 28 to Aug. 7, 2023, revealed intriguing insights into the perception of AI’s utility. While AI is acknowledged as a valuable tool for research purposes, it is not uniformly recognized as a reliable source for advice or exploration of spiritual inquiries. The interest in AI deployment varies, with 37% of respondents expressing enthusiasm for its use in answering questions and 35% for research. Conversely, a mere 14% exhibited interest in utilizing AI for advice, and a modest 8% for addressing spiritual questions.
The report underscores a discernibly cautious approach towards AI, particularly when dealing with nuanced matters, as evidenced by the finding that only 27% of Americans expressed trust in the responses provided by an AI tool when inquiring about “Christian teachings and beliefs.” Interestingly, Christians exhibited slightly higher trust in AI tool responses concerning beliefs compared to their non-Christian counterparts (29% versus 23%).
The survey outcomes point to a necessity for enhanced digital literacy among Christians aspiring to leverage AI for intricate inquiries about faith. While there is a demonstrated higher level of trust among Christians in utilizing AI for such purposes, the report advocates for prudence among leaders contemplating the integration of AI as an evangelistic or apologetic tool, given the prevalent skepticism or outright distrust expressed by non-Christians.
A preceding Barna report from November unveiled a spectrum of opinions within the surveyed population, indicating that 51% of respondents deemed AI as non-beneficial for the Church overall, while only 22% held a positive perspective, emphasizing the nuanced sentiments prevailing in this domain.