Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is making a significant return to the tech industry, this time with a project that intertwines faith and technology. Gelsinger has taken the helm at Gloo, a platform that connects various aspects of the Christian faith. His deep commitment to Christianity drives his vision, which he sees as a mission within the tech landscape.
At Gloo, Gelsinger is focused on developing large language model (LLM) AI technologies that are designed to reflect Christian values. He draws an analogy between this endeavor and the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg, which played a crucial role in the Reformation by enabling reformers like Martin Luther to disseminate their messages widely at a time when the Catholic Church held considerable control.
Throughout history, Christianity has embraced technological advancements, with early instances dating back to the New Testament where Jesus is referred to as a “tekton,” a term related to craftsmanship and technology. In more recent times, many churches adopted personal computers during their rise in popularity, driven by a combination of professional needs and limited resources.
However, the integration of technology into religious practice is not without its challenges. For instance, the past has seen figures like Father Charles Coughlin, a Catholic priest with a significant radio audience in the late 1930s, use mass media to promote controversial ideologies. Gloo aims to avoid such pitfalls by ensuring the quality of its AI, with a focus on how it impacts users” spiritual well-being.
Gelsinger aspires for Gloo to be inclusive, catering to a wide range of Christian denominations while steering clear of contentious theological and political debates. This goal echoes the historical push for reform, rooted in the desire to make religious texts accessible and understandable to everyday people, thereby fostering a direct connection with God.
Despite the potential for technology to inspire change, the challenges of AI remain. While personal computers and the Internet have transformed communication and access to information, the promise of LLMs as agents of growth is yet to be fully realized. AI systems can provide information but also lack the divine inspiration that many believe is essential in religious contexts.
Within the Anglican Church, debates are ongoing regarding the appropriateness of using LLMs for sermon preparation, as true preaching is expected to stem from genuine inspiration rather than algorithmic outputs. Gelsinger”s ambition to create a unified platform for Christian engagement faces the reality of a historically fragmented faith community.
As Gelsinger navigates these complexities, his mission reflects a broader aspiration to unite and strengthen communities through love and technology. However, the challenge of integrating LLMs with the spiritual dimension remains a significant hurdle, as the technology may not align with the deeper meanings and experiences of faith.
