The Rev. Tay Moss, an Episcopalian priest, media producer, and educator, has produced an AI-drive webpage to help people explore the Anglican church – AskCathy.ai – and in this episode explores the potential of AI for theological schools and how they can use it to enhance student engagement and streamline access to information. As well, he discusses the potential for new pedagogy as  well as the challenges that AI offers schools and provides some thoughts about how schools and leaders can start to think about engaging with AI.

Here's the Rev.com summary of the conversation (name spellings were corrected):

The In Trust Center Podcast, hosted by Matt Hufman, delves into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and theological education. In this episode, Hufman converses with Reverend Tay Moss, an American Episcopalian priest and media producer, about the potential and challenges of integrating AI into theological schools. Moss emphasizes the importance of approaching AI with curiosity and playfulness, viewing it as a tool that can enhance educational and administrative processes. He discusses the development and application of AI tools like AskCathy.ai, a chatbot designed to provide accurate and domain-specific information for the Anglican Church. Moss highlights the low cost and accessibility of implementing AI solutions, suggesting that even small theological schools can benefit from these technologies. The conversation also touches on the cultural shift required to embrace AI, the potential for AI to create new learning experiences, and the importance of aligning AI use with institutional goals. The episode concludes with a call to view AI as an extension of existing educational practices, capable of enriching student engagement and institutional efficiency.

Here's the ChatGPT summary:

In this episode of the Good Governance Podcast, Matt Hufman from the In Trust Center interviews Reverend Tay Moss, an Episcopalian priest and media producer, about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in theological education and ministry.

1. AI as a Tool in Theological Education: Moss suggests that AI should be approached with curiosity, highlighting it as a useful tool rather than something to fear. He notes that AI can serve as a starting point or assistant, like an intern, for tasks such as drafting documents, sermon outlines, and information retrieval, helping to save time for educators and ministers.

2. Challenges and Concerns: The conversation touches on issues such as plagiarism and the potential for AI to replace traditional educational tools. Moss believes AI calls for rethinking the role of essays and written assessments, suggesting that traditional methods might not align with the real-world applications that students will encounter.

3. AskCathy.ai Project: Moss introduces AskCathy.ai, a chatbot designed to answer questions about Anglican Church teachings and practices. He describes how it functions not only to provide information but also to engage users in meaningful, learning-centered conversations. This approach can facilitate understanding through back-and-forth interaction, which can be especially valuable in religious contexts.

4. Implementing AI in Schools: Moss emphasizes that setting up AI systems for basic informational queries—such as school policies, registration details, or course schedules—is more affordable and accessible than many school administrators might think. He suggests that small theological schools can start with AI to provide students with easy access to institutional information, enhancing student experience without a significant financial burden.

5. Future of AI in Education: Moss and Hufman discuss how AI could lead to more interactive, low-stakes learning experiences where students feel free to ask questions without judgment. They also consider the ethical and cultural dimensions, with Moss viewing AI as another “room in the mansion of God,” a new space for contemplation and learning.

The podcast concludes with an encouragement for institutions to align AI implementation with their educational and spiritual goals, seeing it as a tool to extend and enhance their mission rather than replace existing roles.

Here's one way to get in touch with Tay Moss.