At The Graduate Theological Union
Hybrid Event (On-site & Zoom)
Join the GTU’s Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences and GTU Affiliate New College Berkeley for an event exploring the complexity of the relationship between AI and the environment. The first part of the program will be short presentations about what AI is and some general considerations regarding the promise and peril of AI for environmental issues. This will be followed by a panel discussion where the speakers will engage in conversation with one another. After the panel discussion will be a theological reflection, small group discussions, and time for Q&A.
Participants include: Jim Stump, Greg Cootsona, Sharon Talbott, Leslie Herrmann, and Braden Molhoek
2:30 PM Welcome & Introductions
2:45 PM AI and the Environment
3:15 PM Moderated panel discussion
4:00 PM Theological response/reflection by Leslie Herrmann
4:15 PM Table-top discussions in small groups
4:30 PM Q&A
5:00 PM Adjourn
This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS) at the Graduate Theological Union and New College Berkeley.
Greg Cootsona is Executive Director of AI and Faith and recently retired as lecturer in Comparative Religion and Humanities at Chico State. He serves as associate pastor at Bidwell Presbyterian Church and is the author of several books, including Science and Religions in America: A New Look (Routledge, 2023). He holds a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union, which focused on the intersection of science and theology, and an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary.
He has been interviewed by the New York Times, NPR, the BBC, and CNN, among others. He and his wife, Laura, live in Chico, California. He loves biking, reading, writing, and drinking good coffee… but not all at the same time.
Jim Stump is the Vice President at BioLogos and host of the podcast "Language of God." A philosopher by training, his latest book is The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolution Leads to Deeper Faith.
Sharon Talbott has been a marketing strategist in energy and sustainability for 20 years, focused on customer experience in the energy transition. Trained as a linguist and anthropologist, Sharon’s particular passions in this sector are energy efficiency, environmental justice, and technology adoption. Her most recent role was Director of Industry Marketing, Energy & Utilities, at Salesforce.
Braden Molhoek is the Director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences and the Ian G. Barbour Assistant Professor of Theology, Science, Ethics, and Technology at the Graduate Theological Union. Much of his work involves theological and ethical reflection on emerging technology, particularly theological anthropology, virtue ethics, moral enhancement, and the impact of our technological choices on human nature and society. He was Program Director for the grant "Virtuous AI?: Cultural Evolution, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtue" funded by the John Templeton Foundation and for the grant supporting this event funded by the Climate Science in Theological Education Program of DoSER/AAAS.