Artificial intelligence undoubtedly is set to change many aspects of life, including leadership. Consequently, there is a critical need for Christian leaders to adapt to technological evolution while maintaining a steadfast commitment to empathy, ethical practices and human dignity.
Christian leaders need to harmonize technological advancements with the enduring principles of faith, compassion and moral integrity. It is essential to ensure the use of AI not only drives organizational success, but also aligns with the greater good and Christian teachings.
What every leader needs to remember about AI
Leadership is about people and human interactions.
The leadership principles in Philippians 2:3-4 emphasize valuing others above yourself and not pursuing personal goals.
Leadership always will be grounded in principles of empathy, ethics and vision involving people working together toward a common goal. The emergence of AI will not change this.
Staying informed is crucial.
Leaders should try to follow the updated process to understand the tools and systems their employees use. While it may be nearly impossible to keep up with all the changes, understanding the details can help leaders communicate more effectively.
In this context, podcasts, blogs and magazines—such as Harvard Business Review and Forbes—provide insight into the evolution of intelligence. Using this channel, leaders can access important information and facilitate the continuous learning required to adapt to the changing technology and business environment.
Utilize AI’s strengths.
At work, artificial intelligence may save time, so leaders can concentrate on what matters most to their company. For instance, AI may aid in creating PowerPoint presentations and with email handling, saving leaders time for more crucial activities.
AI’s benefits to work
Wisdom is able to separate complexity from noise. AI is able to separate complexity from noise, and to do it quickly. This will enhance and streamline work.
AI is a tool for better service.
AI might free up the time of leaders so they can focus on helping their workers, building closer relationships and managing a dependable business.
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Employing AI to manage tedious and repetitive tasks frees up leaders’ valuable time, allowing them to focus on team development, relationship-building and supporting the organization’s values. Thanks to AI, leaders can schedule appointments, evaluate emails and ask customers questions while monitoring their colleagues and employees.
AI-supported chatbots also can provide a safe environment for people afraid to take risks. These innovations require the use of social intelligence and the creation of safe spaces for questions.
AI can promote ethical business practices.
AI can help companies promote ethical business practices in line with God’s created ways through such things as monitoring supply chain and fact-checking. This encourages commitment to responsibility and morality in all affairs.
In addition, AI can help companies allocate resources better by ensuring the most efficient and effective use of products. It also can improve management, provide incentives to employees to follow company values and support company goals.
AI can enhance compassionate outreach.
AI even may develop and affect Christian leaders in fields such as education, health care and other helping professions. AI can improve resource distribution, enabling helping professions to meet needs more effectively.
AI requires wisdom
As Christian leaders, we have a higher calling, and we must engage our Christian faith with all of our beings and minds. The following basic guidelines can steer us toward wise use of AI.
Leadership and AI should be integrated through the lens of a Christian worldview.
Leaders are responsible for ensuring every employee meets their goals, maintains moral standards and promotes integrity. This principle extends to AI, as well.
AI holds great promise for transforming decision-making processes, increasing productivity and optimizing resource allocation. Algorithms for machine learning and the foundation of analytics for prediction also generate recommendations for strategic planning.
AI can increase human innovation, free up resources and create jobs. AI-driven research findings can help inform environmental protection strategies.
Moral and ethical application of innovation is crucial to maximizing its benefits and strengthening the link between that innovation and society at large.
Decision-making should be done with moral integrity.
Christian leaders should be morally and judiciously cautious while making judgments. Even though AI can produce accurate projections, leaders still have a responsibility to ensure decisions are made in a way that respects basic values such as compassion and justice.
We must uphold human dignity.
The people we lead are of higher value than the technology we and they use. Instead of taking the place of human contact and free will, technology should strengthen both.
Leaders need to make sure competencies foster individuals’ innovative thinking and intelligence, instead of diminishing or doing away with human interaction.
We must be selective about the new ideas we choose. We also must understand reverence for human principles needs to be regulated, backed and appreciated.
Technology must be balanced with humanity.
Although technology is a useful tool, leaders need to be aware it can alter how people interact, think and feel. The desire for excellence and standard development must be balanced with the pursuit of talent by leaders.
Christians need not fear technology. AI offers benefits, but we need to be careful when applying AI and make sure it strengthens our ability to fulfill our responsibilities and sustain our moral standards.
Everything Christians do should exalt our Savior. Therefore, our use of AI should serve our pursuit of the Great Commission.
Joshua Longmire is assistant professor in leadership at Dallas Baptist University. The views expressed are those of the author.
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