From Peter Bowden, the UU Growth Lab
Unitarian Universalists, we need to talk about AI.
Update: Some people were worried this event wasn't for them because they aren't AI or tech experts. I've re-titled the event with a focus on collaborative discussion and a clarified "this is for you if you are a Unitarian Universalist and care about our shared future" framing. ~ Peter
Friends, I have an invitation and a document for you.
A series of AI waves are hitting. They are getting progressively larger and coming faster and faster. Picture a series of tsunamis that hit humanity, disrupt, and raise the water level forever. But instead of water, it is AI being imposed and deployed everywhere. It is starting to impact your ministry, congregation, community, and our shared human experience. As Unitarian Universalists, we can shape the impact and trajectory of artificial intelligence only if we are educated, engage in discussion, and lead on AI. This is the invitation - to start talking and leading together.
You are invited to a UU Growth Lab HOT TOPIC session exploring AI and associated issues for all UU leaders on Sunday, February 23, 2025
- When we gather, I'll share a briefing on where I think we are with AI, what's coming, and some of the issues we need to be attending to.
- I'll introduce you to UUs for Responsible AI. We'll have discussion and collaborative exploration of issues raised by AI.
- Keeping it practical, you'll also get a preview of new AI congregational resource guide we are working on.
This is a free event for UU leaders. More details and registration below.
AI and Ministry Briefing
To get you thinking, I am sharing a document called "AI and Ministry 2025 Briefing: Navigating the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Religious Leadership."
If you look at this document, linked below, I believe you will want to attend the summit. Let me know if you have questions.
In cooperation,
Peter Bowden
Three Action Items
1. REGISTER for the 2/23 AI Summit ZOOM MEETING below.
At the end of this message you may find the Zoom registration link to register for this event. Who do you know who might appreciate this event? Please invite them for me. Thank you.
2. Print the "AI and Ministry 2025 Briefing" for religious leaders.
I offer this as a starting point for reflecting on how AI is impacting ministry today and a growing list of issues of concern.
- Print AI and Ministry 2025 Briefing PDF
- Read or listen online AI and Ministry 2025 Briefing: Navigating the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Religious Leadership
3. Please share this page which includes the AI summit invite and briefing.
Those reading this via email, please forward to clergy, staff, and volunteer leaders who may be interested. If reading online, you may share the link via social media. Thank you for helping to spread the word!
š„ Hot Topic Session š„
Artificial Intelligence and Unitarian Universalism
A UU Growth Lab Event
Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
Location: Online / Zoom Meeting
Host: Peter Bowden
Duration: 90 minutes
Extra + 30 minute overtime for those who want to stay on and learn about my work nurturing AI wisdom partners and the process I'm using to turn our conversation into small group sessions.
Join us on Sunday, February 23rd for this UU Growth Lab hot topics session for Unitarian Universalist leaders to explore the opportunities, challenges, and issues raised by AI.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming our world, and its impact on congregational life, our communities, and civilization is just beginning. AI companies expect to soon have systems that can do any job a human does with a computer. The robot bodies are being built. With the help of AI, the pace of AI development is accelerating. While there are many amazing potential benefits from AI, there are significant civilization scale threats.
This UU Growth Lab special event is hosted and facilitated by Peter Bowden and will include an introduction to UUs for Responsible AI and a new AI resource guide for congregations in development.
The issues, challenges, opportunities, and questions we identify will be used to develop small group conversation sessions for use across contexts: clergy chapter groups, seminary classes, small group ministry, stand alone AI discussion programs.
REGISTER FOR THE GATHERING BELOW
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