Who holds AI accountable in a digital world?

by Joe Faith, MSIS, MSDS
Assistant professor of business

Artificial intelligence is transforming our world, offering remarkable advancements in education, business and health care. As an educator at a Christian university, I work to ensure that these technologies align with our faith and values, serving humanity ethically and responsibly. As stewards of both knowledge and morality, we have a duty to develop and use AI in ways that honor God and uphold human dignity.

In education, AI-powered tools are changing the way students learn by personalizing experiences, providing instant feedback and assisting educators. While these innovations offer great promise, they also raise concerns about academic integrity. Some worry that AI-generated content makes it easier for students to take shortcuts, but some research suggests that dishonesty is more closely tied to academic pressure than to any specific technology. Rather than banning AI, a more effective approach is teaching students how to use it ethically. If guided properly, AI can enhance learning without replacing critical thinking. As Christians, we emphasize integrity, ensuring that honest work remains a cornerstone of both academic success and lives of faith. By fostering transparency and clear expectations, we can prepare students to engage with AI in a way that supports their growth without compromising their values.

Beyond the classroom, AI is revolutionizing industries by driving efficiency, automating processes and uncovering valuable insights. From customer service chatbots to data-driven decision-making, businesses are using AI to streamline operations and enhance productivity. Yet with these advancements comes the responsibility to ensure fairness. AI systems, when trained on biased data, can reinforce existing inequalities; a consequence we have already seen in hiring algorithms that unintentionally disadvantage certain groups. Ethical business leaders must implement diverse and unbiased training datasets to provide AI-driven decisions that promote justice rather than perpetuating discrimination. As Christians in business and technology, we are called to act justly and uphold fairness. Ethical AI is not just about increasing profitability; it is about accountability, transparency and reflecting values of honesty, fairness and compassion in the workplace.

Nowhere is AI’s potential more profound than in health care, where it is helping doctors diagnose diseases with greater accuracy, optimize patient care and predict public health trends. These innovations are saving lives, but they also come with risks. Without careful oversight, AI can unintentionally reinforce disparities in health care access and treatment. For example, AI systems trained on incomplete or biased medical data have been shown to underestimate the needs of marginalized communities, leading to unequal access to care. As Christians, we affirm that every human life is precious in the eyes of God, and we must advocate for AI that prioritizes equitable treatment for all. By demanding transparency in AI decision-making and ensuring diverse representation in training data, we can build medical AI systems that serve humanity with fairness and compassion.

As AI continues to expand, so do concerns about privacy. AI thrives on vast amounts of personal data, analyzing user behavior to predict preferences, habits and decisions. While this can lead to more personalized experiences, it also raises ethical questions about consent, surveillance and security. Companies must prioritize privacy by design, collecting only the data necessary and safeguarding it from misuse. As Christians we believe in the inherent dignity of every person including the right to privacy and autonomy over personal information. Striking a balance between innovation and individual rights is essential in maintaining public trust and upholding moral responsibility.

AI is not inherently good or bad, it is a tool shaped by human intention. As it becomes more embedded in daily life, the ethical choices we make today will determine its future impact. Ensuring AI serves humanity requires a commitment to transparency, fairness and accountability. As Christian educators, professionals and researchers, we have a responsibility to guide AI development in a way that upholds our faith-driven ethical principles. By fostering discussions, implementing ethical guidelines and prioritizing human-centered AI, we can build a future where technology enhances lives while respecting justice, love and truth.

The future of AI is in our hands. How we choose to engage with it will determine whether it becomes a force for empowerment or a source of unintended consequences. Christians are called to be stewards of both knowledge and morality. By embracing AI with responsibility and foresight, we can ensure that technology serves the greater good while safeguarding the principles that matter most — honoring both God and humanity.