Udupi Diocese News

Media Release

Udupi, Sep 19, 2024 : In a first-of-its-kind event, the Diocese of Udupi’s Commission for Social Communication hosted a transformative workshop titled "AI & Church: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Pastoral Ministry". The event, held at Anugraha Pastoral Centre on September 18, gathered priests, religious sisters, and lay faithful to explore how AI can be integrated into Church ministry, enhancing communication, outreach, and administrative functions.

The workshop was officially inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, who made a statement about the Church’s commitment to embracing technology by digitally inaugurating the event. In a symbolic gesture, Bishop Lobo scanned a QR code on the screen, which unveiled the Church’s progressive approach to science, technology, and AI. This moment was a significant reflection of the Church’s openness to modern advancements and its mission to incorporate AI for the greater good of pastoral care.

Bishop Lobo, with his optimistic approach, stated, “We, as pastoral workers working with the present generation, must speak the language of the times and become potential users of technology to be more productive and efficient. We are far behind compared to other tech-savvy countries. AI tools need to be integrated into our workplaces to foster meaningful communications that benefit our community.”

The workshop featured two key speakers: Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, Google-certified AI coach and Director of Canara Communication Centre, Mangalore, and Mr Leo Victor Zalki, Oracle-certified AI expert and Director of Oxidane Enviro Llp. Their sessions highlighted how artificial intelligence can streamline pastoral operations, optimize communication strategies, and help the Church engage with communities in a more personalized and effective manner.

Fr A. I. Fernandes and Mr Leo Victor demonstrated practical examples of how AI can be applied in Church settings, focusing on automating routine administrative tasks and utilizing AI tools to generate religious content, streamlining ministry operations. They inspired participants with real-world AI use cases, showcasing the immediate benefits AI offers to Church management and pastoral work. Additionally, they discussed the future potential of AI in diverse contexts such as faith education, social outreach, and environmental stewardship, broadening the scope of AI's role in ministry.

The workshop included sessions on the basics and fundamentals of prompting Generative AI and Conversational AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. Participants were introduced to a range of AI-powered technologies, including Text-to-Image, Text-to-Video, 3D Animation, Text-to-Voice, Text-to-Music, Instant PowerPoint Presentations, as well as AI-driven Graphic Design and Illustrations. These tools demonstrated how AI could simplify creative and administrative tasks, making them more efficient and accessible for church-related projects.

Rev. Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO of the Diocese of Udupi and Secretary of the Commission for Social Communication, shared his thoughts on the workshop’s success, stating, “This event marks a new chapter in how we approach pastoral ministry. Technology, particularly AI, has the power to transform our mission, and today’s workshop has equipped our leaders with tools to better serve the community.”

The event left participants inspired and motivated to adopt AI tools in their ministries, with many expressing a desire for continued learning in this field. The Diocese plans to offer additional workshops and training to further the integration of AI into Church activities.

For more information on upcoming events and courses, visit www.ailumina.in