Generative AI and giving speeches in church

Imagine this: you are asked by the bishop to give a talk at the Sunday meeting. For some, this evokes enthusiasm, for others, mainly nerves. Not everyone feels comfortable writing or speaking in front of a group. And in an era where we have access to powerful AI tools everywhere, the temptation is obvious: why not just open ChatGPT or Gemini, type 'write a speech about faith or conversion', and you're done? Within a minute you have a text that sounds good.

The question is: is there anything wrong with that?

The pitfall: shutting down your own growth and the Holy Spirit

My experience teaches me that the greatest beneficiary of a speech is not the listener, but yourself. Preparing a speech gives you the opportunity to learn, reflect, and change your heart. It is an invitation to delve into the Scriptures and the  Holy Spirit to ask for guidance. It is in those processes, and not in an AI-generated text, that you grow. By skipping the entire process and relying on AI, we deprive ourselves of that precious opportunity.

Another crucial point is the connection with the audience. We often hear stories of people who come up to us after a speech and say: ‘That was exactly what I needed.’ Such a speech then feels like a direct answer to a prayer. That doesn’t happen by chance. It is a result of inspiration, of listening to the Holy Spirit and of sharing what has been given to you. Artificial intelligence can never be a substitute for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. By relying on AI, you switch off the Holy Spirit and undermine thepotential of your speech to be an answer to prayer for someone else.

Giving a speech is not a transfer of knowledge. If that were the goal, then Google or AI could do that just as well. We come together every Sunday to  connection with our Heavenly Father and with each other. That connection is created through human vulnerability. By sharing what we struggle with, what we believe in, and what we have learned, we show that we are all broken people in need of the Atonement. That vulnerability is what brings us together and creates deep, interpersonal connections. AI cannot show that vulnerability, which is why it is too dangerous to rely on completely.

The blessing: AI as a useful implement

AI is not a magic wand that takes all our work out of our hands, but it is an extremely useful implement, just like a pen or a typewriter. I use AI daily in my work, and it has become an indispensable assistant. Due to a disability, I can no longer type. AI enables me to express my thoughts, convert them into text, and structure them. Previously, the writing process was the creative process for me. Now I use AI as a  mechanical stenographer that transcribes and organizes my thoughts. My words and thoughts remain my own.

In addition, AI is a powerful tool for research. When I write a speech, I use it to quickly find information. Suppose I want to know what Elder Gong said about AI in a conference talk. AI can find the speech for me, summarize the key points, and help me organize my thoughts. It is a starting point, a tool to get on the right track.

But be warned:  do not blindly trust the results. The responsibility to verify the information always remains with yourself. AI is not perfect. It sometimes generates incorrect references or half-truths. So always check whether the information you use is correct.

A step further is the use of AI as a reflection partner. When I have a first draft of a text, I sometimes dare to ask AI: 'What do you think of this?' It is similar to asking a friend for feedback, and I find it a valuable way to gain a new perspective. But here too, the same applies: it is the input you receive, not a replacement for your own thinking and your own inspiration.

Elder Gong's Warning

Elder Gerrit W. Gong spoke about artificial intelligence at the April 2024 General Conference. He acknowledged that it can be a useful tool, but he gave a clear warning: AI can never replace the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. He encouraged us to be careful in its use, precisely because convenience can deceive us.

That does not mean we should completely reject AI, but rather that we must clearly distinguish what it can do and what it will never be able to do. It is a useful tool, but not a source of revelation.

An invitation to grow

Generative AI can certainly help, even in an ecclesiastical context. It can serve as your assistant, your stenographer, and your researcher. But don't be deceived: it should never take the place of your own growth and your own search for inspiration.

Giving a talk is An invitation to grow, to change your heart and to connect with your brothers and sisters. Don't let that opportunity slip through your fingers by relying on an algorithm. Use AI as the useful tool it is, but always seek inspiration and connection within yourself and with the Holy Spirit. That is the only way to give a talk that touches not only the mind, but also the heart.

As a bishop, I see it as my task to invite you to grow, and not to seek convenience. I wish everyone the joy I myself experience when I feel the voice of the Spirit in preparation. That feeling that you are not alone, that God guides you and gives you words — that is priceless.

AI can do a lot, but it can never give you that. So don't be deceived. Don't let AI rob you of the opportunity the Lord gives you to grow in faith and connection.

That is my invitation to you, with much love: dare to be vulnerable, dare to seek the Spirit, and trust that your words, however simple, are enough. For with the Spirit, they are more than enough.