Technology is not good, not bad—and not neutral, discussion explores

Technology is not good, not bad—and not neutral, discussion explores

GDF

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 16:22

A discussion on “ AI Utility, Ethics, and Governance” on 20 August hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) featured Dr Ezekiel Takam, who recently completed his PhD on Theology and AI Ethics at the University of Geneva; and Michael Meier, who is International Affairs Attaché for the Canton of Geneva.

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Discussion on “AI Utility, Ethics, and Governance”.

Photo: Pauline Tête/WCC

The wide-ranging conversation touched upon human dignity and vulnerability—and why those characteristics are at the crux of our own perceptions and actions related to AI.

“ AI is just a tool and therefore it has to stay as a tool,” urged Takam.

But it ’ s a tool we are responsible for shaping whether we realize that or not, noted those gathered. For example, when we express ourselves emotionally during an AI prompt, we are teaching AI to respond in a seemingly emotional manner.

“ This is a slippery slope,” reflected Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace. “ You want to create this distance so…