What Do Christians REALLY Think About AI?

Published: April 17, 2026

arturo-rey-CvnVk7GGQCg-unsplash — Photo from Arturo Rey via Unsplash

By Kayla DeKraker

The controversy surrounding AI isn’t anything new, but how do Christians feel about the emerging tech? Barna just got some answers.

The research shows that about two-thirds of practicing Christians believe AI is making life better. It can help people work faster, find information quickly and even support churches in sharing messages. But at the same time, more than half also think AI could be harmful. Others appreciate AI but are also cautious about it.

Millennials and Gen Zers are often more concerned about AI than other adults. Even though they use technology more, they are also more aware of its risks. They worry about things like fake information, loss of jobs and people depending too much on the technology.

“As faith engagement deepens, so does the sense that AI is both promising and problematic. The data suggest that practicing Christians aren’t ignoring that tension, they’re leaning into it,” said Daniel Copeland, Barna’s Vice President of Research.

Some Christians, about 19%, would say AI is both “high opportunity” and “high risk,” but a much larger number, 53% of practicing Christians, say it’s both low opportunity and low risk.

Barna reported, “The high opportunity, high risk pattern is not unique to faith. Gen Z and Millennials show similar concentrations — 18 percent and 20 percent respectively in that quadrant, suggesting that age and exposure to AI may be as much a factor as religious engagement.”

The group added, “Boomers land almost entirely outside the tension: 73 percent fall in the low opportunity, low risk category, and only 2 percent hold the high opportunity, high risk view.”

Despite many Christians embracing AI, Copeland recommends pastors still use caution.

“As many Christians quickly embrace AI in all of its complexity, pastors’ caution may be a necessary counterbalance, especially for younger generations who have come of age in a digital world without always being equipped to navigate it with discernment,” he said. “In a moment shaped by rapid change, church leaders’ role in helping people slow down, think critically and engage wisely becomes even more essential.”

One pastor, Ray Miller, has done exactly this. Last year, he expressed concerns over idolatry since AI gives the illusion of being “all-knowing,” something that only God is.

“God is much bigger than AI,” he told Christian Post. “The interactivity that AI brings will feel more like a personal deity that seems all-knowing. When a company tries to sell you on texting with Jesus, I believe we have walked into dangerous, perhaps idolatrous waters.”

Jay Kim, another pastor, feels otherwise. He believes technology is a great opportunity to bring people to Christianity.

“Digital technologies are the greatest front door that the church has had,” he told Barna.