The Orthodox Observer’s conference on artificial intelligence and theology opened on Thursday evening at the Maliotis Cultural Center in Brookline, Mass., its title asking a provocative question: “Do the Divine and Digital Intersect?”

With presentations from theologians, clergy, and engineers, the event’s first night explored how Orthodox Christianity can guide faithful–and society at large–through the challenges artificial intelligence (AI) presents.

In his opening remarks, GOARCH Director of Communications Dr. Stratos Safioleas warned that what was once a novelty “has become now an emergency.” 

“The questions around artificial intelligence extend far beyond technology,” Safioleas said. “They touch on social, economic, and ethical issues, and perhaps more importantly, they present existential issues.”

Theologians are “uniquely equipped to speak with depth and wisdom about these matters,” Safioleas said.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America echoed the assertion that the Church is called to ethical leadership. “The question of where and how the divine and digital intersect is an urgent one,” he said. “One that must not be avoided by the Church.”

“The possibility of a ‘technological tsunami’ should be motivation enough … we owe this to our faithful,” the Archbishop said.

Read the Archbishop’s full remarks.

Yannis Papakonstantinou, a Distinguished Engineer at Google Cloud, offered the first of two keynote addresses. He framed faith as a guide to AI’s challenges, presenting the Church’s leadership as both “an opportunity and a duty.”

He addressed prevalent concerns regarding AI’s impact on economics, machine consciousness, and humanity’s belief in God. Though Papakonstantinou offered a relatively optimistic perspective on humanity’s future in the face of AI, he simultaneously urged audience members to “worry and prepare.”

Drs. Taylor Nutter and Mark Graves presented the event’s first panel, entitled “Theological Responses to the Socioeconomic Implications of AI.” The Orthodox Observer‘s Dr. Claire Koen moderated the panel.

Nutter challenged the perceived moral neutrality of AI tools, describing them as “an instantiation of the structural injustice defining liberal capitalism as a racialized regime of accumulation.” 

Citing the Theotokos’s prayer in the Gospel according to Luke, he said: “As disciples of a God who ‘has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty,’ to do the will of the Lord is to resist the structural implications defining contemporary AI.”

In his presentation “Compassionate AI for Positive Human Futures,” Graves suggested AI may be particularly useful in healthcare if a “theoretical knowledge of compassion and nuanced scenarios can be used to train a model of compassion.”

He argued that while the Church can help direct AI toward human flourishing, it must also guard against technology that increases suffering. 

“Good intentions are not enough,” Graves warned. 

Audience members raised particular concern about military applications of AI–an issue that has drawn international scrutiny. The conversation underscored the urgency, complexity, and moral imperative of the Church’s engagement with technology.

> Previously: These are the panelists for the Observer’s AI & Theology conference

The conference will continue tomorrow with a keynote address from Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy, as well as two panel discussions:

• “Christian Personhood and AI,” featuring Fr. John Chryssavgis, Dr. Gayle Woloschak, and Dr. Aristotle Papanikolaou
• “Cultural Implications of AI,” with Dr. Eve Tibbs, Dr. Sarah Riccardi-Swartz, and Dr. Emily Spratt

See the full schedule.

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In an interview with To Vima, Yannis Papakonstantinou challenged a widespread assumption that innovation drives people away from God. He insists the opposite is true. The Orthodox faith, he said, is oriented toward the future. It remembers not only where humanity has come from but what it is called to become. He believes the Church is uniquely prepared to guide a world where artificial intelligence may one day think and act beyond human comprehension.

On Oct. 30, Papakonstantinou will present a keynote address at the Orthodox Observer‘s conference on artificial intelligence and theology.

> Previously: Do the divine and digital intersect? Join us for an AI & theology conference.

Papakonstantinou is a Google Cloud Distinguished Engineer. His work is on the intersection of GenAI and databases, technically leading novel features and products in support of GenAI and agentic applications over databases. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position of Computer Science at UCSD after many years of being a regular faculty member. Previously he worked at Databricks and Amazon Web Services. Earlier he was the CEO and Chief Scientist of Enosys Software, which built and commercialized an early Enterprise Information Integration platform for structured and semistructured data. It was sold under the BEA Aqualogic brand name and eventually acquired by BEA.

Prior to the AI area, his R&D work had been mostly on query processing and search with focus on querying semistructured data. He has published over one hundred twenty research articles that have received over 21,000 citations. He holds a Diploma of Electrical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, MS and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University (1997).

Read the interview with To Vima in English and Greek.

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New York, NY — The FREEDOM Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America recently brought its national human trafficking awareness and prevention training to two vibrant New York communities—Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing and St. Demetrios High School in Astoria.

Rev. Protopresbyter Dr. Peter Spiro, Director of the FREEDOM Ministry, visited both sites to educate parishioners and students on the growing concerns of human trafficking and online exploitation, and to strengthen local engagement in the Church’s national response.

At Saint Nicholas Parish in Flushing, more than one hundred parishioners gathered for a Philoptochos-sponsored event to hear Fr. Peter speak about the scope of trafficking and the ministry’s faith-based approach to prevention and advocacy. Participants expressed strong interest in learning how they could support the national effort and help expand outreach in their local area.

At St. Demetrios High School in Astoria, Fr. Peter addressed the entire student body, focusing on the dangers of online predators and the personal and social vulnerabilities that can place young people at risk. He also spoke about the importance of refraining from—and reporting—bullying, noting that lowered self-esteem and social isolation can make individuals more susceptible to traffickers. Students were highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions and showing deep concern for their peers. Each student received a laminated “What to Know” reference card to keep as a practical reminder for the future.

Through these outreach efforts, the FREEDOM Ministry continues its mission to educate, equip, and mobilize Orthodox communities across the nation to confront modern-day slavery and safeguard human dignity.

For more information about the FREEDOM Ministry or to schedule a training in your parish or school, please contact Fr. Peter Spiro at [email protected].

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Yesterday, the Huffington Ecumenical Institute (HEI) of Hellenic College Holy Cross (HCHC) hosted a tribute marking twenty years since the passing of Archbishop Iakovos, the longtime spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America.

The event brought together clergy, scholars, and community members to reflect on the Archbishop’s leadership, his role in advancing civil rights and ecumenical dialogue, and his lasting influence on both the Church and American society.

HCHC President Dr. Demetrios Katos noted that for many in attendance, Archbishop Iakovos was not only a historical figure, but also an archbishop, spiritual father, and friend.

“As we mark this twentieth anniversary of his repose, we remember a history and we renew a legacy,” Katos said.

In his opening remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America emphasized that “the labors and legacy of Archbishop Iakovos may be more important in our day than in his.”

“His leadership and championing of civil rights … feels very much needed in our own day,” the Archbishop said. “His example of moral strength and courage—especially in his marching with Dr. King—remains a cornerstone of integrity … for all Americans and people of conscience.”

Also in attendance was Archbishop Demetrios, former Archbishop of America.

The program began with the screening of a new documentary, Iakovos: In His Own Words, followed by a panel of HCHC faculty offering reflections on the Archbishop’s life and work.

Dr. Nicholas Ganson spoke about Hellenism in Archbishop Iakovos’s worldview; His Grace Bishop Anthony of Synada discussed the Archbishop’s contributions to Greek and religious education; Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian highlighted his ecumenical efforts, including his work with the World Council of Churches, his relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, and his participation in the Selma to Montgomery march alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; and Dr. James Skedros reflected on the Archbishop’s sociopolitical advocacy, particularly regarding racial equality and Cypriot self-determination.

“His motives were driven by his commitment to the Gospel and his own personal experiences of being a second-class citizen in Türkiye and seeing his family and community in a context that diminished human rights,” Skedros said.

A second panel featured His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Paulette Poulos, Fr. Peter Orfanakos, and Dr. Lewis Patsavos, who shared personal anecdotes from their years working closely with Archbishop Iakovos.

“The Lord … often introduces us to our greatest teachers in the most unlikely ways,” Metropolitan Gerasimos said, describing Archbishop Iakovos as one of the most formative influences of his life.

Poulos offered a moving reflection on her many years as the Archbishop’s administrative assistant. While emphasizing his passion for Greek and Cypriot causes, she focused especially on his deep personal faith, which continued until his passing in 2005.

Culminating in a memorial service at Archbishop Iakovos’s gravesite, the event highlighted the Archbishop’s broad and enduring impact. Through scholarly insight and personal recollection, speakers underscored how Archbishop Iakovos continues to serve as a model of courage, conviction, and service to others.

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