US evangelical leaders are calling on former President Donald Trump to create an AI ethics council as the nation rushes to remain ahead of the curve in artificial intelligence innovation. In a letter that was made public and reads “Christianity in the Age of AI: An Appeal for Wise Leadership,” a group of faith leaders expressed their support for the responsible development of AI but warned about the moral and social dangers of inconceivably smarter-than-human technology.
Faith Leaders Seek Ethics-Driven AI Governance
Some noted signatories are Rev. Johnnie Moore, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Assemblies of God General Superintendent Doug Clay, and Tim Clinton of the American Association of Christian Counselors. The letter also pointed out that while AI can be an incredible tool for identifying and solving medical and societal problems, it should never be developed without ethical parameters.
Proposed AI Council to Include Faith Voices and Ethics Experts
The letter calls on Trump to create a presidential advisory council made up of faith leaders, ethicists, and non-commercial stakeholders. Its goal would be to ensure that artificial intelligence technologies not only align with national interests but also respect human dignity and ethical principles.
“We urge you to convene an advisory council that focuses not just on what AI can do, but on what it should do,” the letter reads. It also highlights concerns that bad actors might exploit AI systems in ways that could harm society if proper safeguards are not in place.
Move Fast But With Guardrails
According to the Christian Post, Rev. Johnnie Moore emphasized the need for speed and caution. “We have to move faster than any country in the world to dominate this new age,” he said. “But we also need to recognize how disruptive and dangerous this technology can be if mishandled.”
Moore outlined a range of threats, including AI weaponization, disruption of industries reliant on knowledge work, and the potential for uncontrollable autonomous systems. He proposed that the advisory body be non-partisan, merit-based, and free from corporate lobbying influence.
Faith Community Invited to Join
Moore and Rev. Rodriguez have invited both Christian and non-Christian leaders to sign the letter, which is scheduled for delivery to the White House in the coming days. The effort reflects a growing movement within religious communities to proactively shape the ethical boundaries of rapidly evolving AI technologies.
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