A fake AI post that depicts the Archbishop of Canterbury in Roman Catholic branding.
In recent months, there has been an increase in AI (Artificial Intelligence) based content across social media and web platforms. While the content of this material often engages in harmless sentimental material, there has been an uptick in material aimed at the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Three frequent targets are Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington, DC, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, and former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Posts range from truth-adjacent content to downright false information. The implications of this material can be broad in impact. From false information about health-related issues to identity and branding trust, these AI fakes weaken our stance as a reliable institution that can speak in this time.
The ubiquitous use of AI is a growing concern due to its impact on the environment, human health, education, power grids, and even politics. Recently, the city of Memphis has been in the headlines for mounting environmental damage from AI centers. Seemingly harmless content can have a wide impact once it begins to spread and increase engagement. While emerging technologies are an opportunity for us to continue in our culture of learning and exploration, we must engage with AI with a healthy dose of clear-sighted assessment and an eye toward its impact beyond our immediate use.
We hope our East Tennessee community will help in curbing the spread of false information, AI fakes, and material that works against our identity as Anglican and Episcopalians. We also hope to raise awareness around the impact of AI on our communities. While we will continue to post our own original content on social media platforms, the Diocese of East Tennessee has invested in a private platform with Circle to safeguard our identity and content. You can find more here.
Should you have any questions about Artificial Intelligence, best practices, or how we leverage it at the Diocese of East Tennessee, contact Bro. Andrew at amorehead@dioet.org.