Gen Z’s perception of artificial intelligence and the church: Exploring religiosity, AI trust, and attitudes toward church

This pilot study examines how Generation Z students, affiliated with Christianity, perceive the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in church contexts. Specifically, it explores the relationship between religiosity, trust in AI, attitudes toward church, and support of AI usage in a church context. The study tested three hypothesis using a convenience sample (N = 227): 1) religiosity is positively associated to trust in AI, 2) trust in AI is positively associated to support for AI usage in a church context, and 3) religiosity is positively associated with attitudes toward the church. Additionally, the study explored whether there is an association between attitude toward church, and support of AI in a church context. The results indicate significant positive relationships between trust in AI and support for its use in religious settings, as well as between religiosity and attitudes toward the church. As an exploratory study, these findings provide insights into the intersection of AI and religion while offering practical implications for religious organizations seeking to engage this demographic. However, further research is needed to validate and expand these preliminary findings. While the study’s small sample size and convenience sampling limits generalizability, it establishes a foundation for future inquiries into the role of AI in religious contexts.