Benefiting from AI; Glorifying God with AI
Organized/Lin Minwen
Combining professional knowledge and responsibility for young people, head coach Chen Dejian founded LeadingAI, leading a team to train high school students and college students to participate in Amazon AWS DeepRacer artificial intelligence racing, and to teach and exercise students' leadership. Over the past few years, not only has his students repeatedly won outstanding results in global competitions, he has also held lectures online to encourage church children and Sunday school colleagues; he has led GROW growth reading clubs to inspire young parents to grow up with their children. AI+leadership has become a new way and opportunity to spread the seeds of the gospel.
人工智能逐漸成為工作、生活的一部分， 誤用、濫用也時有所聞。然而LeadingAI事工宗旨及目標仍為—用AI得益處；用AI榮耀神 （Use AI for Good; Use AI for God.）。且讓陳德堅總教練帶領我們回顧服事中的挑戰與學習，並展望科技／AI在福音使命中的優勢。
Professional + Passion; AI + Leadership
我在Oracle公司擔任電腦雲端總設計師。 公司整個產品線採用內置的AI技術，包括安全檢測、產品開發等，因此我在專注雲端設計的同時，也學習了這個技術。 AI原本多用在後台，輔助企業級業務，近幾年一般消費者已可應用（例如ChatGPT，Copilot等），讓 AI技術廣為人知。AI與使用者能進行更多互動，現在可以幫人寫文章、繪圖、製作Power Point，甚至直接編寫電腦程式等等。
Many people know that this technology is useful, but they don’t know how to use it for church and kingdom service. In 2019, the Youth Fellowship of the True Love Family Association was intensively trained to participate in the "International Youth Artificial Intelligence Competition". Both teams won first place in their respective age groups, and one team also won the overall championship. I found that with the help of teaching assistants who specialize in AI, students can go from not understanding to performing well in a short period of time.
I studied for my graduation thesis of a leadership degree, and the topic I chose was youth leadership training, applying the latest technology to help individuals or organizations build teams. The core structure of the training is: the leader and the led grow together; the led becomes the next leader, continues to exert influence and build the next team; use technology to serve the people. In 2020, I received a master's degree in leadership and took an "AI and Leadership" course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Through these experiences, God inspired me to start a ministry by combining my major, my passion for serving, and my burden to young people.
The COVID-19 epidemic forced most people to stay at home, but I saw an opportunity to combine AI and leadership, so I started looking for a coaching team. This is the beginning of LeadingAI.
Although leadership and AI are neutral practical skills that everyone can learn and use, the difference between LeadingAI is that the core is Christian values and lifestyle, and the outward layer is to learn leadership to promote personal growth. , and then outwardly, learning advanced technologies such as AI. Participating coaches or students do not have to be Christians, but they are required to not oppose the Christian faith.
Many people see LeadingAI teaching AI technology so that children can learn happily, find it interesting, and achieve good results in world competitions. Students help each other while learning; while learning AI, they also develop leadership skills. Non-Christian students can gradually understand and accept the core values of the faith through interactions with Christian coaches during classes and invitations to attend gatherings.
I am an engineer, I am good at doing things, but interpersonal communication is not my strong point. Because of LeadingAI, I need to interact with coaches, students, parents, and cooperate with different organizations.Because of my own changes, myself and my team members have seen the possibility of change under God's guidance; this is the so-called "see → feel → change" model. LeadingAI delivers values bit by bit in this way, allowing members to see the reality of their beliefs in an atmosphere of encouragement and support.
As children grow, so do parents
I saw that the children who came to receive training grew up, but their parents did not receive the teaching of interpersonal communication and emotional intelligence. The parent-child relationship is like a car with only one wheel moving but the other not moving. The whole car still cannot move forward.
With the advice and support of Elder Lin Fengliang, the KRC conference consultant, a parent growth reading club was established. The first book read was "Being Parents with Heart". Online discussions are held weekly for one hour, and by 2024 there will be seven groups around the world. The way the book club is conducted is that parents first read a chapter each week. During the online gathering, the leader briefly explains the chapter and asks questions. Then the group members share and discuss. Finally, Elder Lin talks about professional, family, and life experiences. Give you summary and guidance.
I have observed that this model creates positive and proactive feedback. Group members feel that their thoughts are heard and they also hear how other parents handled similar situations. They are actually eager to discuss and learn with parents who have children of similar age. They are also willing to apply what they learn every week at home and in the workplace, and then bring their experiences back to the group.
The parenting principles or methods mentioned in the book may be different from their original concepts and understandings. Many times couples have different views on parenting and each do their own thing, leaving the children at a loss and the couple blaming each other. As children enter adolescence, they may also challenge their parents' words and deeds. The book club recommends that couples participate together as much as possible to share their views and practical experiences on the content of the book. The principle is not to judge other people's opinions, everyone can speak frankly, couples do not argue over different opinions, and parents do not interfere or give advice to each other.
Psychologist Dr. Huang Weiren once said that when conflicting parties can be honest with each other about their thoughts without causing harm, the greatest healing will occur. Over the past few years, the companionship and encouragement among the group members have become the driving force for their continued personal and family growth.
LeadingAI’s influence is not limited to training young people, but also extends to families. Over the past few years, parents have said they have benefited a lot. We usually only meet online, but we also meet offline when traveling to each other's cities. There are also families taking cruises together to build closer relationships. Parents and children become mutually supportive partners with the goal of lifelong learning and lifelong growth.
Teaching students is not easy, finding a coach is also difficult
Participating in a world-class AI racing competition is not easy in itself. When I first started training students, I was actually not sure what results they would achieve. Thank God they studied hard and got good results. And building students to become leaders is not easy either. They were originally interested in learning, but they never thought about receiving leadership training at the same time. But the coach told them: The purpose of "learning" is to "teach"; now they are being trained by the coach, and they will train other students in the future.
這大致需要經過的模式為：教練給指令（指令式）；指令加上解釋（教練式）；多鼓勵少指示（支持式）；放手讓他們做（授權式）。這就是情境領導力（Situational Leadership）。
Students who came to participate in LeadingAI found their passion after training, their lives changed, and they achieved good results in their studies and careers. Parents sincerely praise: their children have really grown up.
There is no shortage of "men in science and engineering" among members of Chinese churches in North America. What's more, although LeadingAI uses complex technology, it is taught in a simple way. It is not necessary to have advanced computer knowledge and technology to be a coach. However, it is a great challenge to find a coach among Christians who has the right background, shares the same vision, and is willing to commit. Many people are enthusiastic about serving the church, but have no interest in outreach models like LeadingAI.
Coach Stanley is not a Christian, but he has been working with LeadingAI for many years. He is very enthusiastic about participating in activities and is willing to give lectures to LeadingAI students in Taiwan even during his vacation in Taiwan. I don’t know when he will believe in the Lord, but I believe that from his observations and experiences, God will move him.
I personally believe that AI will be closely related to life, and I sincerely hope that God will call more people to join in such service after seeing the needs of the times and individuals.
Approach the next generation on the most powerful platform
Many of the volunteer coaches and parents are evangelical friends. When LeadingAI holds activities at the church, they come to help and it becomes an opportunity to be exposed to faith. Although we are not an evangelical institution, we are still Christian-centered. When gospel friends come to this group, they can come into contact with different values and lifestyles through observation and experience, which has the effect of "life influencing life" for them.
過去教會在社區外展的模型，多是大哥哥、大姊姊在暑期聖經學校（VBS）、英語品格營中，教孩子手工、英文會話，藉著遊戲、故事，傳遞真理。現在的孩子生長於電子產品世代，LeadingAI做的，只是透過目前最夯的網路及AI平台來接近下一代。福音信息不變，只是載具和呈現方式更新了。
Other Asian and Native American students also participated. Parents are very supportive and know in advance that our coaches are Christians and that leadership training is based on Christian values. Students have the mentality that they only come to "learn AI and leadership" rather than "believe in religion". This gives us the opportunity to expand the breadth of evangelism and allows fellow Christians to demonstrate the life of their faith.
When students asked the question: AI is getting more and more powerful, will it one day be more powerful than the God you believe in? We start the conversation with a gentle discussion rather than a strong argument: If you say AI is great, is it itself great, or is it the person who created it? There are people behind AI designing it, but what about us humans?
However, many Christians are busy with work and have no time to consider the impact of technological trends on believers and God’s kingdom. LeadingAI maintains a long-term perspective and does not consider how many people will believe in the Lord in each training session; we recognize that this is the gospel preparatory work entrusted by God, which is to loosen the soil and sow seeds, and ultimately make the seeds of the truth grow and bear beautiful fruits. is God.
In fact, participating in LeadingAI is also to train church staff. Once they understand AI, they will have an additional tool and skill when they participate in multimedia or online ministry.
When a church or a believer decides what ministry to engage in, it often depends on whether they are willing to bear the price of change; paying the price to change now, or delaying it until the price of not changing may be necessary in the future. At the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, when the world moved work and life online, my spiritual mentor, Pastor Su Wenlong, once called for making “netizens” disciples of the Lord. With the current situation being like this, why not use the advantages of technology/AI to spread the gospel?
Use the right tools to expand your impact
Regarding AI, many people still have misunderstandings, myths, fears, or do not know how this technology can actually help them.It is recommended that Christians and churches try some tools that are easier to use. Once they benefit from them, they will be less afraid. I also hope that spiritual leaders will understand and try it themselves. By seeing and thinking about the potential of AI in preaching the gospel and expanding the kingdom of God, more believers can be encouraged to try and make good use of it.
Some believers see AI as an evil force that will end the world. I think vigilance is necessary, but there is no need to be overly afraid. The construction "technology" used to build the Tower of Babel in Genesis was also quite advanced! If it does not please God, God will destroy it. Technology and machines may be destructive, but in this end of the world, people's hearts are disgusted with the truth. In fact, the harm done by humans is more serious and cruel.
The first part of LeadingAI’s purpose and goal is to “get benefits from AI”, which is to convey the discernment based on faith as a value and the ability to use technology.
The second part, "Glorifying God with AI," is about adding spiritual judgment to understand how to attract non-believers to know and enter the church through ministry, while also training Christians to serve God through this platform.
Don’t “technologies” in every era also follow the footsteps of the preaching of the gospel? The Bible has gone from hand-copied editions to printed editions to electronic editions; preachers have gone from preaching in squares to preaching to thousands of people in giant stadiums through big screens and radios; from face-to-face oral preaching to preaching the truth through radio waves. The same is true for AI. As long as it is used properly, it can become a tool for evangelism.
LeadingAI started when I was studying for my graduation thesis for a master's degree in leadership. Afterwards, God opened my eyes and gave me a deep impression and burden. He also led me along the way. I have always done things quickly and am used to completing them independently. Now I need to constantly remind myself: follow God; when the time is right, everything will fall into place and He will accomplish it. We look forward to more churches, pastors, and believers seeing the possibility of using technology (including AI) to serve people and glorify God.
Some people say that before doing any ministry, ask yourself who are you doing it for? For yourself or for the gospel? I have tasted the benefits of AI as a tool and want to share it with others; I know more clearly that this is God’s call and it is for the sake of the gospel. What I want to see most is that people can encounter God through the LeadingAI ministry; what I want to do most is to bring people to God. If God moves and calls you, I pray you will respond and join the technology/AI ministry to serve the people of this AI generation.
Leadership is influence; using the right tools can amplify influence. LeadingAI is not only to benefit people, but also to glorify God; LeadingAI’s ministry and co-workers want to exert influence not only on individuals, but also on God’s kingdom.
To learn more about LeadingAI, please go online https://www.leadingai.org/.