We live in a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is a part of daily life. AI helps computers and machines simulate human intelligence and problem-solving. It’s changing the way we work, learn, and connect. It has never been easier to create, build a business, or improve how we do everyday tasks.

Elder David A. Bednar called AI a remarkable tool that “offers the potential of advancing knowledge, improving our quality of life, facilitating communication and connection, enhancing personal learning and growth, and fostering creativity and innovation.” (Young Adult Devotional, November 3, 2024)

History of Technology

Technology has always shaped the way people live and work. The Industrial Revolution in the 1700s and 1800s brought machines, steam power, and factories. These inventions made work faster and more efficient. The invention of the automobile in the late 1800s changed how people traveled. The telephone changed how people talked. Then, in the 1990s, the internet connected billions of people and things around the world and made information easy to find. These innovations collectively reshaped education, business, and global connectivity.

Now, AI is the next big step. It powers voice assistants, medical diagnostics, and even self-driving cars. AI can find patterns, make predictions, and solve problems in fast and efficient ways.

Prophets Envisioned Technology

Prophets have long taught that true and useful discoveries come from God. In 1862, Brigham Young declared, “Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind, has been given by direct revelation from God, though but few acknowledge it. It has been given with a view to prepare the way for the ultimate triumph of truth, and the redemption of the earth from the power of sin and Satan. We should take advantage of all these great discoveries, the accumulated wisdom of ages, and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work.” (Journal of Discourses, 9:369)

In 1966, President David O. McKay prophesied that scientific discoveries that “stagger the imagination” would make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people. “Discoveries latent with such potent power, either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings as to make men’s responsibility in controlling them the most gigantic ever placed in human hands. … This age is fraught with limitless perils, as well as untold possibilities.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 4)

How the Church Uses Artificial Intelligence

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always used technology to support its mission. From radio broadcasts to digital scriptures, inspired tools have helped share the gospel. Today, AI helps speed up family history work by reading old records and connecting families. Church historians use AI to transcribe handwritten journals, catalog photos, and make Church history easier to access.

Used wisely, AI can free up time for service and spiritual growth. It’s not meant to replace revelation but to support it. Elder David A. Bednar reminds us that “The Lord is hastening His work, and it is no coincidence that these powerful communication innovations and inventions are occurring in the dispensation of the fulness of times.” (BYU Campus Education Week, August 2014) He also reminds us that “Artificial intelligence cannot simulate, imitate, or replace the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives.” (Worldwide Devotional, Nov 2024)

How to Learn About and Use AI

AI is a tool to help you think better, not think for you. “Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for human intelligence; it is a tool to amplify human creativity and ingenuity.” (Fei-Fei Li, Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence)

Two cautions:

1. Use a chatbot as a starting point, not as the final answer. Look up the references in its responses to verify that they are trustworthy sources. Today, there is increasingly misleading and even intentionally false information published online. Find truth by reading a variety of reputable sources whose information proves to be consistently reliable. Also consider what motivates the organization that produces the information. Does the organization have anything to gain by providing false or misleading information?
2. AI chatbots want to help you so much that they sometimes “hallucinate,” or give you information that sounds plausible but is misleading or entirely made up. So, give the chatbot plenty of context in your question to help reduce hallucinations. And again, verify sources.

Using AI at Work

Automation has replaced manual labor before, like when tractors replaced farm work in the early 1900s. Now, AI is changing office work in the same way. Instead of doing repetitive tasks, people can use AI to save time and focus on creative or more meaningful work.

Some people worry that AI will eliminate their jobs. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, “You are not going to lose your job to an AI, but you are going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.” (Message during the Milken Institute Global Conference, May 2025) AI is transforming the workplace. Embracing AI is no longer optional. It is essential for staying competitive.

In the 1980s, typists who resisted using word processing software were replaced by people who were willing to learn. Today, those who do not become proficient using AI tools may be replaced by those who do.

Today, AI tools can record and summarize meetings, email action items to the team, and schedule follow-up meetings. All in a matter of seconds. An accounting team used AI to reduce the processing time for invoices and expenses. They spent a few days documenting their processes and developing guidelines for an AI agent to understand what were routine and legitimate expenses and what the system should flag for human review. What used to take them 20 hours per week was handled by the AI agent in a few seconds at a computing cost of less than a dollar.

How can you benefit in the workplace? Meet with coworkers and share what you learn about how to improve your work. As you share your success, other teams may find similar applications to their work.

Using AI at Home

AI is changing home life the same way dishwashers and washing machines once did. AI tools can help you plan meals, manage your calendar, and keep track of chores. Smart assistants can remind you of birthdays, appointments, or grocery lists. They can suggest meal plans based on dietary needs, and even help children with homework by explaining concepts in age-appropriate ways.

Some people worry that AI may make home life impersonal or overly technical. But if used right, AI can handle routine tasks so you can focus on what matters most—your relationships.

How can you benefit at home? Start by thinking about the chores or routines that take up time or cause stress. Then try an AI tool to help with them. For example, one family used an AI-powered calendar to track school, work, and church activities. The tool suggested better times when activities overlapped, which helped them communicate better and feel less stressed. AI at home is about supporting family and providing more time for real connection.

Using AI in Personal Learning

AI can help you learn at your own pace, tailored to your interests and goals. Whether you want to study the scriptures, learn a new language, or master a professional skill, AI can help you organize, explain, and review what you learn. It can summarize articles and suggest questions to explore. It can help you track progress, quiz you to reinforce understanding, and recommend next steps based on your goals. But the most powerful learning happens when you combine AI’s capabilities with your own curiosity, reflection, and spiritual insight.

To benefit from AI in your personal learning, start by identifying what you want to learn and why. Then use AI to break it down into manageable steps. For example, if you’re studying Church history, you can ask AI to list key events or create a timeline. If you’re learning leadership, you can ask AI to help you plan practice situations or review principles you learn.

Ask questions, compare sources, and think about what you learn. As you combine AI’s speed with your own curiosity and faith, learning can become both efficient and inspired.

Using AI in Church Callings

The Church has always used inspired tools to accomplish its work. Now AI can help you prepare meeting agendas, organize notes, and follow up on assignments. These tools can save time with administrative tasks so you can focus on personal revelation and individual service.

For example, AI can summarize your notes from ward council meetings and suggest follow-up tasks and items for further discussion. It can send reminders for ministering visits or help track service projects. (Be careful to never put personal member data into a chatbot.)

AI can also help you share the gospel by creating uplifting social posts or designs. These tools can amplify your voice, but they should never replace it. Always personalize content to reflect your life and testimony. Used wisely, AI can be a powerful companion in the Lord’s work, helping you reach more people, more personally, and more effectively than ever before.

Principles For Using AI

AI can bless your life when used with wisdom and purpose. But it can also create spiritual and moral risks if used carelessly. Church leaders remind us to use technology as a tool, not a substitute for the Spirit. (See references at the end of this article.) The things that matter most—compassion, inspiration, and revelation—must come from our hearts and be guided by the Holy Ghost. AI must support and never replace your connection with God.

Read the Church’s “Principles for Church Use of Artificial Intelligence.” These principles apply not just to how the Church uses technology, but to each of us in our professional life, volunteer service, and even when sharing the Gospel. The guidelines provide essential guardrails so that AI serves us and doesn’t replace our spiritual stewardship.

Conclusion

When used thoughtfully, AI can be a powerful companion in our efforts at home, at work, and at church. It should always serve faith and truth, never replace them. Stay prayerful, be curious, and use technology to uplift and connect with others. When used with purpose and the Spirit, AI can help you accomplish more and serve better.

References

• Principles for Church Use of Artificial Intelligence
• Guiding Principles for the Church of Jesus Christ’s Use of Artificial Intelligence
• Rely on the Spirit when using AI, Elder Gong encourages
• Things as They Really Are 2.0, Elder David A. Bednar, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, November 3, 2024
• Reverence for Sacred Things, Elder Ulisses Soares, general conference, April 2025
• Faith, Ethics, and Human Dignity in an Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Call to Action, Church Newsroom, July 29, 2025
• Apostle Invites Faith and Ethics Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Models at Gathering in Rome, Church Newsroom, October 22, 2025
• Apostle Invites Faith and Ethics Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Models at Gathering in Rome

 

Disclaimer: I used AI to help me generate some of the ideas for this article, but the writing and editing is mine.