By Shahzadi Adeena, Class of 2025

Figure 1: Human Hand Reaching Out to AI

With artificial intelligence (AI) on the rise, chatbots have become a valuable resource for many sectors of society. Economic, education, and health industries all benefit from the efficiency and extent of artificial intelligence assistance; other sectors, such as religion, are also susceptible to influence by up-and-coming AI. Researchers Khoa Tran and Tuyet Nguyen investigated the perception of AI involvement with Christian education in Vietnam, a secular nation. Tran and Nguyen utilized the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to understand participants’ responses in efforts to build and utilize AI to spread religious education. The researchers also examined whether age group (Generations X, Y, and Z) and religious orientation have an effect on the degree of AI acceptance. 

This study involved semi-structured interviews to gain perspective of Christian and non-Christian Vietnamese peoples’ attitude towards AI advancement in religious practice. The 32 interviewees were divided into six groups based on age and religious orientation. Socio-demographic information, such as occupation and internet usage, was collected during the interviews in order to best contextualize the results. With UTAUT, Tran and Nguyen were able to evaluate the level of adoption of AI in this religious context by the Vietnamese population. It was found that although Generation Z (the youngest age group) is more readily accepting of AI, they lack an interest in religious education. Conversely, Generations Y and X showed more interest in AI-assisted religious education, but were less familiar with the concept of artificial intelligence. Additionally, the older generations were motivated by economic activities, cultural interest, and the obligation of learning Christianity in order to marry a follower. Christian respondents, such as the priest that was interviewed, argued that artificial intelligence does not have the religious authority to provide theological education. Followers of Christianity expressed a need for more detailed language in AI-generated religious texts, while Generation Z and non-Christian interviewees desired simpler language.

The researchers aimed to show corporations and developers that Vietnam is a potentially profitable market for AI Christian education. By conducting this preliminary research, Tran and Ngyuen have also further developed an area of research that others can expand to in different countries. As more sectors of human society integrate artificial intelligence, both opportunities for growth and obstacles will arise. 

Works Cited: 

[1] K. Tran and T. Nguyen. Preliminary Research on the Social Attitudes toward AI’s Involvement in Christian Education in Vietnam: Promoting AI Technology for Religious Education. Religions 12, (2021). doi: 10.3390/rel12030208

[2] Image retrieved from:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-reaching-out-to-a-robot-8386434/