What Would Jesus Tech

This AI moment isn't exactly the dot com boom, but is it close? Many think so, including people working at leading at AI companies. In this episode, not only do Joel Jacob and Andrew examine the reality of our AI Bubble, and how valuation is outpacing reality, but also the deeper values driving this bubble. We are also joined by a special guest at the end of the episode, who tells us we did an excellent job. Chapters:00:00 Intro03:27 Understanding Market Bubbles, Dot Com and Railroads12:34 Circular Investments15:47 Spiritual and Existential Inflation18:40 Evaluating AI's Real Value and Potential Value32:10 Moving Fast and Breaking Things36:46 Yes, It's Kind of a BubbleSupport Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WWJTOur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatwouldjesustech/Our Discord: https://discord.gg/NVtkqDN9Cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit https://www.whatwouldjesustech.com/

The Keller Center (a part of TGC) has conducted an important benchmark of seven leading AI models. These are the seven most used models in the world, and they do not give the same answers to theological questions. In fact, a Chinese model (Deepseek) had the top score.The Director of the Keller Centre, Michael Graham, joins us in this episode to share how AI models respond to theological questions and the implications for Christians. The conversation touches on the future of AI in pastoral care and the ethical considerations that arise as technology continues to evolve.Chapters00:00 - Intro01:25 - Cultural Apologetics05:51 - Evaluating AI Responses to Theological Questions20:27 - Missiological Implications of AI in Christianity for Pastors31:11 Understanding AI's Limitations and Human Involvement38:12 Engaging with Silicon Valley: A Christian PerspectiveRead the report for yourself: https://christianbenchmark.ai/Cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Do tech leaders believe in God?What are the reasons why they tend to believe in what is material, but not what is immaterial? Is there anything beyond matter to an engineer in a secular age? When you've been trained on analyzing the nature of things, you struggle to consider a thing of supernature. Perhaps this is what has happened.Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (ChatGPT), says he views the world as a tech-nerd, and therefore, in his own logic, he does not believe in spiritual things. Elon Musk is similar, as a clip in this episode shows. And just wait till you hear what Steve Jobs said! We all need God. And he's more real than we realize.00:00 - Intro3:00 - Why enchantment? What secular age?14:00 - Sam Altman's lack of belief20:45 - Elon Musk and the sensus divitatis31:29 - Steve Jobs, "there must be more"35:12 - We are NOT less enchantedWe're hiring! If you're interested in becoming the WWJT Podcast Manager, please see job description and application process here: https://x.com/AndrewDNoble/status/1971207236455420089Books cited:Charles Taylor – A Secular Age (2007)The foundational 800-page philosophical work on how belief in God shifted in modernity.James K. A. Smith – How (Not) to Be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor (2014)A short, accessible summary and engagement with Taylor’s A Secular Age.Alan Noble – Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age (2018) Applies Charles Taylor’s framework to technology, culture, and Christian witness.Tony Reinke – God, Technology, and the Christian Life (2022)A biblical theology of technology; argues all technology should point us back to awe and gratitude toward the Creator.Joseph Minich – Enduring Divine Absence: The Challenge of Modern Atheism (2017)Explores the modern sense of God’s absence and how to live faithfully amid it.Walter Isaacson – Steve Jobs (2011)The definitive biography of Steve Jobs, including his reflections on death, the afterlife, and transcendence.Gray Sutanto – A Sense of the Divine: An Affective Model of General Revelation from the Reformed Tradition (2025)A scholarly work building on Calvin, Herman Bavinck, and J.H. Bavinck on the “sense of the divine” (sensus divinitatis).Original Music by Abigail Neale. The Thumbnail was created in Sam Altman's and OpenAI's GPT-5. AI audio text-to-speech by ElevenLabs.What Would Jesus Tech? is cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show, visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Is this trend something to be happy about? Many are seeing psychedelics as an "on-ramp" to pagan spiritualism *and* to Christianity. Psychedelics include LSD, psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), DMT (found in ayahuasca), and mescaline (found in Peyote and San Pedro cacti). While various ethical concerns may be noted, there are also some apparent medicinal benefits. Is there room for nuance here? Or should we, as Christians, reject psychedelics completely?Phil Cotnoir is a husband, a father of four, an avid reader, and a freelance writer and editor. He recently wrote:- The Coming Psychedelic Moment at Mere Orthodoxy- The Psychedelic Renaissance: A Story of Hype and Hubris at The Gospel CoalitionKeywords: psychedelics, technology, spirituality, Christianity, mental health, conversion stories, tech culture, ethical research, medicinal use, recreational use. Thumbnail generated with the help of ChatGPT.To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Yes, there is talk of demons controlling AI. Why wouldn't they? Why wouldn't they use Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to influence humanity?And yet, we shouldn't go too far when thinking about their control. They are subordinated and limited by God. In this episode, we explore the intersection of spiritual warfare, demons, and artificial intelligence. We get into some personal experiences with demonic influences, and the theological framework needed when thinking about AI demons.00:00 Intro01:02 Yes, Demons in 202503:06 Limits and Influence of Demons10:02 Physical Objects13:51 The Nature of Idols, Demons, and AI17:39 Cultural Phenomena and Spirituality23:29 Power and Providence35:33 Rebuking DemonsSupport the show at patreon.com/WWJTPlease send your ideas and feedback to the cohosts, Andrew Noble, Austin Gravley, and Joel Jacob, at whatwouldjesustech@gmail.com. Thumbnail: original image created by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash with edits made by ChatGPT. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Doing AI Right?Daniel Manary has held various roles in AI, including CTO of PlaySpace, CTO at Kenesense.AI, Machine Learning Engineer at ProNavigator, and CTO at SimulFit Technologies, among others. He is also the host of Artificial Insights, a podcast where he interviews AI Product Leaders to seperate hype from impact.In this episode, Andrew Noble sits down with Daniel Manary, host of Artificial Insights, for a conversation that blends faith, technology, and the future. Together, they explore the hidden motivations driving AI, the ethical questions we can’t afford to ignore, and the surprising ways AI might reshape human connection. From Daniel’s inside perspective in the AI industry to a distinctly Christian vision for technology, this episode asks: can AI be built with both brilliance and a moral compass?00:00 - Intro03:05 - Dan had a dream05:00 - How you build matters11:12 - What AI future should we care about most?17:33 - Optimistic about AI? Why?20:53 - Current AI Projects and Future Directions30:00 - Wrap Things UpCheck out Dan's podcast: Artificial Insights: How To Do AI Right.Connect with Dan Manary on LinkedIn.Please send your ideas, questions, and feedback to the cohosts, Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley, at whatwouldjesustech@gmail.com. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Our guest today explores what it means to be ourselves truthfully. That is, true to our calling - our true, good, and beautiful callings.In this episode of What Would Jesus Tech? we delve into the concept of vocation beyond traditional job roles with our esteemed guest, Dr. Karen Swallow Prior. An award-winning author and cultural commentator, Karen shares insights from her latest book, "You Have a Calling," exploring how vocation intertwines with truth, goodness, and beauty.We discuss the evolving nature of work, the impact of technology, and how to find purpose in a rapidly changing world.Karen Swallow Prior is an award-winning author and cultural commentator who writes at the intersection of faith, literature, and public life.Buy her book! Link to Baker Publishing Group. Link to amazon.com.00:00 - Intro02:15 - Calling as Vocation10:30 - Calling vs Passion18:45 - AI and Job Shifts Due to Tech27:00 - Integrating Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in Our Work35:20 - Addressing Modern Challenges and Anxieties in VocationKaren's Substack: https://karenswallowprior.substack.com/Thanks for listening. On behalf of me, Andrew Noble, and the rest of the team, we appreciate you taking the time to think more deeply about what it means to imitate Jesus in our technological age. You can support our podcast by sharing it with friends, writing a review, or going to our Patreon page and becoming a member. I do use Generative AI to help write the episode description and create the chapters. This last paragraph however, was written completely by me. Hence the unnecessary length, incomplete sentences, and abrupt ending.

Smart glasses are in your churches. What should you do?In this episode, we explore the evolution of smart glasses, the need for churches to have policies in place regarding their use, and the importance of balancing accessibility for individuals with visual impairments against the need for privacy and safety, especially for children. The conversation also touches on the cultural acceptance of smart glasses, the future of this technology, and the necessity for churches to prepare for potential risks associated with it.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Smart Glasses in Churches04:57 The Importance of Having a Plan08:47 Privacy Concerns and Policies16:04 Balancing Accessibility and Safety22:26 Preparing for the Unexpected26:00 Conclusion and Call to ActionImages used in the thumbnail include:- https://www.ray-ban.com/Join us on Discord - https://discord.gg/P3pMnAkjSupport us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/WWJT

We discuss the challenges and joys of being a dad during the summer. Part two on Patreon. We explore the balance between technology use and outdoor play, the importance of being present with children, and creating memorable experiences. The conversation emphasizes the significance of presence over perfection in parenting, especially during the summer months when schedules can be more relaxed. (And yes, the thumbnail for this is based on Bluey and created by ChatGPT)Chapters00:00 Summer!03:12 Screen Time06:07 Balancing Freedom and Structure (Patreon)09:08 Presence (Patreon)16:03 Adventures (Patreon)Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/WWJTHave a great summer!

Sam Altman, the founder of ChatGPT, believes we're past the event horizon. We're past the point of no return. The future is an AI future. And, well, Andrew Noble and Joel Jacob mostly agree. But with some important caveats related to AI safety, deterministic versus probabilistic coding, determinism philosophically, and agency amidst rapid technological advancements.Chapters00:00 Intro02:28 AI Defense and Security07:47 The Gentle Singularity13:43 The Deterministic vs. Instrumentalist View of Tech22:46 Probabilistic vs. Deterministic Coding in AI25:31 Evaluating AI's Performance, Ethics, and Impact31:34 Finding Hope in the AI AgeLinks - Sam Altman on A Gentle Singularity- Using GenAI helps consultants: - ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, According to a New MIT Study Keywords: AI, Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI, Sam Altman, technology, singularity, ethics, job displacement, security, human values, deterministic, probabilisticSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/WWJT

"AI is a tool, not a partner."As more people use AI tools like ChatGPT, how should Christian leaders respond? On one hand, there are opportunities to leverage Artificial Intelligence as a tool for human flourishing. But we should also be cautious about its potential to diminish human connection and creativity. They discuss the need for engagement, the importance of community, and the role of the Christian faith despite the allure of transhumanism.Cohosts Andrew Noble (PhD Student Theology & Technology), Joel Jacob (Principle Product Manager at Splunk), and Austin Gravley (TGC Social Media Manager) discuss a new book by Sean O'Callaghan and Paul Hoffman: AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep: Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.Buy the book: AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep: Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial IntelligenceChapters00:00 Intro02:35 The Journey to Writing the Book05:41 Engaging with AI as a Tool vs Partner17:10 Navigating AI in Ministry32:54 Understanding AI Limitations and Risks38:14 Reclaiming Our HumanityJoin our discord.Support us on Patreon.Keywords: AI, technology, human flourishing, theology, ministry, relationships, creativity, community, digital age, Paul Hoffman

"God purposefully designed humans to have limits and depend on one another." Why is it so hard to believe this?Theologian Kelly Kapic discusses this with us in his new book, You Were Never Meant to Do It All: A 40-Day Devotional On The Goodness of Being Human. Cohosts Andrew Noble and Austin Gravley ask Kapic about human limitations, depending on one another, and the balance between work ethic and rest. They discuss the importance of community and the significance of physical touch in a technological age.Buy the book! Link: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/you-were-never-meant-to-do-it-all/406045Earlier episodes with Kelly Kapic:- discussing Kapic's You're Only Human ("Limits") - and the Tyranny of TimeChapters00:00 Intro01:40 Understanding Human Limits09:57 "Balance"15:00 Technology and Human Limitations21:55 Touch26:57 Self-Optimization28:43 Love31:43 Stress35:54 Community42:51 PlaceCohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

How should Christians navigate various faith and technology organizations? Some are Universities. Others are non-profits you can volunteer with. The three cohosts chat with Corey Hickson on the intersection of engineering education, technology, and growing your faith. They explore the role of Christian universities in shaping future engineers, the impact of AI on education and work, and the importance of integrating faith into the tech space, even if you don't work at a Christian company! The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by Christians in technology, the need for community, and the significance of viewing work as a form of worship.00:00 - Intros and Background to Dr. Cory Hixson of Colorado Christian University04:25 - Be a generalist! And Christian Universities for Technology?12:10 - Exploring Christian Tech Orgs & The Ecosystem of Faith and Technology20:44 Worship Through Work in Engineering25:30 - You Don't Have To Join a "Christian" Org!30:15 - Parachurch Tech Orgs?36:17 - Faith and Work Integration in Tech39:04 - Supporting Engineers in Their Faith Journey44:09 - The Future of Technology and Human InteractionJoin our discord: https://discord.gg/u3vMQ45wSupport us: https://www.patreon.com/WWJTKeywordsengineering education, Christian universities, AI impact, faith and work, technology integration, Christian organizations, future of work, community in tech, worship through work, engineering careersCohosted by Joel Jacob, Andrew Noble, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. The image was created with the assistance of ChatGPT. The show notes were written with aid from Riverside's AI. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

In this episode of 'What Would Jesus Tech?', Austin Gravley and Joel Jacob explore clichés in both the tech and ministry worlds. They delve into the implications of phrases like 'let go and let God' and 'everything is a season', as well as tech cliches about the future and scale. There are pitfalls in overusing such terms. We need to get past the cliches if those in tech and those in ministry are going to do a good job speaking to each other. 00:00 Intro01:10 Brief update on Robotics03:13 Digital Transformation06:20 Tech Bros, Vibe-Coding, Growth Hacking, and More10:35 "Let Go and Let God"15:07 Seasons18:41 Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin20:30 The Future26:11 Scaling29:45 The Importance of Language in Tech and FaithJoin our discord: https://discord.gg/u3vMQ45wSupport us: https://www.patreon.com/WWJTKeywords: AI, robotics, digital transformation, tech clichés, ministry, Christian clichés, seasons of life, technology future, scaling, pivotingCohosted by Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. The image was created with the assistance of ChatGPT. The show notes were written with aid from Riverside's AI. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

Austin and Andrew explore the intersection of idolatry and technology, particularly how AI can act just like idols used to. Why is Andrew studying idolatry and AI? How do they connect? How should we take Tertullian's views on idolatry and apply them to today? They explore these questions and more, including the human need for connection and how technology can fulfill or distort that need, drawing on insights from Sherry Turkle's work. Ultimately, Andrew challenges listeners to consider whether their use of technology leads to life or idolatry.Join the WWJT Discord: https://discord.gg/AdkWsxRZSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WWJT00:00 - Introduction to Idolatry and Technology08:32 - Some History on Idolatry11:16 - Ethics of AI Development17:33 - The Search for Meaning in AI20:25 - The Nature of Life and AI23:15 - Human Relationships vs. AI Companionship27:46 - Choose LifeThumbnail image made by ChatGPT using the following prompt: create youtube thumbnail for What Would Jesus Tech podcast on how AI can be like idolatry. just keep it simple with minimal words and make a beautiful technological image of an idol. Shownotes have some AI input as well, leveraging Riverside. Cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.comKeywords: idolatry, technology, AI, Christianity, ethics, biblical theology, human relationships, modern idolatry, Sherry Turkle, meaning

Have Christians historically been innovators in the tech space? At least when it comes to the codex and the printing press, the answer seems to be yes. That's what Wes Huff argued in his video over at Apologetics Canada. We watched that video and discussed its implications, including: the historical context of the writings of the Bible, the emotional impact of technology on faith, and the implications of generative AI for ministry.We also delve into the balance between innovation and tradition in worship, the role of immersive experiences in understanding scripture, and the trade-offs associated with new technologies.0:00 - Innovating Faith? An intro.2:38 - Historical Perspectives: Technology and the Bible8:13 - Navigating the New Tech Landscape: AI and Coding10:40 - The Balance, in Worship & Evangelism16:14 - Immersive Experiences: The Future of Scripture Engagement?19:00 - Cultural Influences: Fandom and Interpretation of Scripture21:53 - A Christian Technological ImaginationPlease send your ideas, questions, and feedback to the cohosts, Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley, at whatwouldjesustech@gmail.com. These shownotes were created with the assistance of Generative AI. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

"Just ship it, even if you're 19.""You can only control your outputs."In this episode, Andrew Noble, Austin Gravley, and Ian Harber discuss the intersection of marketing, faith, and personal branding. This is our fourth and final public episode of Multiplying the Word. They explore how marketing can be a tool for spreading ideas. We should steward our stories and reputations. Ian shares insights from his journey in writing and marketing, emphasizing the need for authenticity and the value of connecting with an audience. Vulnerability and authenticity don't always mix well. Ian discusses how to appropriately share.Chapters00:00 - Intro02:05 - Is Marketing Dirty?10:52 - Mind Your Reputation21:29 - Tactics29:44 - The Stewardship Journey32:35 - Navigating Personal Stories and Vulnerability39:39 - Crafting a Personal Narrative43:36 - Advice for Aspiring Writers/CreatorsCohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/fAqx3WGu

Joel: "AI models are like four years olds."Andrew: "AI is not a fad."In this episode of WWJT, Andrew Noble (Theology & AI PhD Student at U of Nottingham) and Joel Jacob (AI & Robotics Product Manager at Splunk) explore the evolving landscape of AI, discussing the differences between various AI models, ethical considerations in their usage, and the implications of AI on daily life. They delve into the importance of user experience, the role of open-source models, and the future of AI in software development. The discussion emphasizes the need for caution in using AI for personal and emotional tasks while also highlighting its practical applications in everyday scenarios.Chapters00:00 - Understanding AI Models11:56 - Some Ethical Considerations15:05 - Claude vs ChatGPT21:07 - Open Source vs. Proprietary AI Models24:17 - The Future of AI in Software Development27:12 - AI's Impact on Daily Life33:02 - More AI DilemmasKeywords: AI, generative models, ChatGPT, ethics, multimodal models, open source, technology, user experience, software development, machine learning, Christianity, Moral TheologyCohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. The writing of these show notes was assisted by Generative AI. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com.

In this episode of What Would Jesus Tech, hosts Andrew Noble and Austin Gravley chat with Luke Simmons, a lead pastor, discussing the intersection of digital marketing and pastoral ministry. One of our most practical episodes for what churches can be doing!We explore the role of social media for pastors, the potential harms of digital media, and how to leverage digital tools for local ministry. Luke shares practical tips for creating engaging church communications, overcoming barriers to digital engagement, and navigating the challenges of content creation, including the use of AI. We also address the celebrity pastor culture, and how local-first is the way to build out your digital content as a church.Follow Luke Simmons on Twitter/X.FaithfulandFruitful.com (Pastoral and Leadership Resources from Luke).Takeaways from this episodePastors should consider using social media as a tool for expanding their "word" and discipleship ministry. Digital content (like podcasts or social media posts) cannot replace visitation, preaching, and pastoral care, but it can help teach people the ways of Christ.Digital media can pose risks, including moral dangers (e.g. lust) and distractions. This isn't for every pastor or every church.Digital content creation should be approached with a mindset of iteration and experimentation.Utilizing email effectively can significantly increase engagement rates.Balancing personal interests with pastoral responsibilities is crucial in communication.The use of AI in content creation should be approached thoughtfully and authentically.Support us on Patreon.Join our Discord Group.Chapters0:00 - Introduction to Digital Marketing for Pastors2:00 - The Role of Social Media in Pastoral Ministry3:33 - Potential Harms of Social Media for Pastors7:03 - Using Digital Tools for Ministry (e.g. podcast)12:43 - Transforming Church Communication (e.g. emails)16:42 - Creating & Repurposing Content27:33 - The Importance of Practice in Communication28:57 - Leadership and Communication: The Core Connection30:02 - Choosing Topics & Outlets for Digital Ministry39:20 - Addressing the Celebrity Pastor Culture43:01 - Practical Tips for Digital EngagementWWJT is cohosted by Andrew Noble, Joel Jacob, and Austin Gravley. Original Music by Abigail Neale. These show notes were co-created by Andrew and an AI tool. To learn more about What Would Jesus Tech and to support the show visit whatwouldjesustech.com

In this episode, co-hosts Andrew Noble and Joel Jacob speak with Dr. Glenn Butner about the intersection of theology, economics, and moral formation. They discuss how markets function, the moral implications of economic systems, and the role of trust in transactions. The conversation emphasizes the need for Christians to engage thoughtfully with economic practices and the importance of understanding the complexities of market design. Butner's book, 'Work Out Your Salvation,' serves as a foundation for discussing how faith can inform economic behavior and moral formation.Support WWJT on Patreon and receive a book! Must sign up before March 31st, 2025.Buy Butner's book: https://www.amazon.com/Work-Out-Your-Salvation-Formation/dp/1506479413Read Andrew's review: https://adfontesjournal.com/book-review/work-out-your-salvation-a-review/Takeaways (AI Generated with Human Oversight): Markets are not just economic systems; they are technologies that shape our interactions and form who we are. Incentives can significantly alter behavior, sometimes in unexpected ways. Christian engagement with economics should be nuanced and informed by scripture. The church has a role in shaping economic practices and moral formation. A doctrine like Common Grace can help us make sense of how markets can form us in good ways. Understanding social sin is crucial in navigating market dynamics. Christians should analyze specific markets rather than endorse or condemn entire systems. Moral formation can occur outside the church through various societal interactions. Every individual has a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their economic choices.Chapters00:00 Introduction and We'll Send You A Book!02:21 Understanding Markets and Moral Formation06:46 The Impact of Incentives on Behavior14:52 Theological Perspectives on Markets23:32 Moral Formation in Secular Markets28:02 Practical Takeaways?40:47 Innovative Hiring Practices and Market Design42:30 The Role of Markets in Social Justice46:41 Moral Formation and Market Interaction49:28 Conclusion and Reflections on Agency