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Generative Artificial Intelligence

CES Artificial Intelligence Guiding Principles

CES Artificial Intelligence Principles

These principles are intended to supplement, but not replace, applicable Church policies, including the General Handbook and the Principles for Church Use of Artificial Intelligence.

CES Artificial Intelligence Principles
Mission and Discipleship

1. Mission and Discipleship

AI should be used in ways that help accomplish the mission of CES to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities. CES institutions should continuously evaluate how AI may impact students, faculty, staff courses, learning outcomes, disciplinary fields, and all institutional operations.
Teaching and Learning by the Spirit

2. Teaching and Learning By the Spirit

Teachers serve a vital, irreplaceable role that will evolve alongside AI. While AI can enhance learning and teaching, teachers remain uniquely positioned to guide learning, provide human connection, bear witness, and help students discern truth through the Spirit.

Faculty need to invest sufficient time with AI to develop learning outcomes that consider how AI might be used to enhance or hinder student learning, including preparation for the use of AI in professional roles.
No Shortcuts

3. No Shortcuts to Learning and Discipleship

Learning and discipleship require genuine effort, sustained engagement, and individual work. AI should amplify human capabilities and divine potential, never replace them. Students need to develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities essential for their careers and building God’s kingdom.
Integrity and Accountability

4. Integrity and Accountability

All AI usage in CES institutions should maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity. CES institutions should establish clear academic-integrity expectations concerning the use of AI in student assignments, examinations, research, and other academic work. CES institutions should also establish clear expectations of transparency and accountability for AI-assisted work.AI-generated content should be reviewed before it is relied upon, distributed, published, or used.
Privacy, Security, and Data Protection

5. Privacy, Security, and Data Protection

For any use of artificial intelligence, CES institutions should safeguard sacred, personal, confidential and proprietary information.

Implementation Layers

The CES AI Governing Principles are embedded across Implementation Layers throughout the CES Institutions, systems, and projects:

People

  • Human + AI Collaboration
  • Moral Agents
  • AI Committees & Cross-Disciplinary Partnership

“…we can commit together to ensure AI’s moral compass is not dictated solely by technology or the small group developing the technology. A united effort encompassing faith-based, civic, and technology leaders is needed to champion safe and responsible, human-centric AI."

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong (July 2025)

Practices

  • Human-Centered​
  • Minimize Risk​
  • Scalable​
  • Ethical & Compliant

“As we enter uncharted technological and ethical territory, we need especially now to align AI’s pervasive exponential reach with enduring faith-based ethical principles and moral values.”

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong (July 2025)

Processes

  • Forward-Thinking​
  • Future Planning​
  • Thoughtful Integration​
  • Accountability and Integrity Infused

“As we make AI tools uplifting across text, voice, music, images, and video, let us also establish processes that identify, monitor, generate, and guarantee our best human outcomes in the AI systems we build.”

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong (July 2025)

Policies

  • Risk Management (Reviews, TPRM, Assessments) & Governance Frameworks​
  • AI Regulations & Enforcements​
  • Guidelines, Standards, Acceptable Use Policies, Academic Integrity, etc.​
  • Adaptability & Evolution

“The righteous possibilities of this amazing technological tool can be realized only if we are aware of and guard against its perils.”

- Elder David A. Bednar (Nov 2024)

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Principles for Church Use of Artificial Intelligence

SOURCE: ChurchofJesusChrist.org/AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing technology that has significant potential to assist the Church in accomplishing God’s work of salvation and exaltation. Properly using AI will help the Church achieve its divine purposes more effectively and efficiently.

The moral and ethical considerations that come with the use of AI require wisdom and good judgment. God is the source of all truth (see John 14:6; Doctrine and Covenants 93:24–26). AI does not replace divinely appointed sources, but, if used correctly, it can be a powerful tool for helping earnest seekers of truth search and access such sources (see Moroni 10:5; Doctrine and Covenants 50:17–20; General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 38.8.41, Gospel Library).

The following guiding principles are intended to support the responsible use of AI by the Church workforce. These principles apply to all AI use cases within the Church, especially those that are public-facing. All public-facing uses of AI will be subject to review by the AI working group. For uses of AI intended primarily for internal purposes or workforce productivity, employees should consider how these principles apply to their work efforts and projects.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR CHURCH USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

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Spiritual Connection

  • The Church will use artificial intelligence to support and not supplant connection between God and His children.

  • The Church will use artificial intelligence in positive, helpful, and uplifting ways that maintain the honesty, integrity, ethics, values, and standards of the Church.
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Transparency

  • People interacting with the Church will understand when they are interfacing with artificial intelligence.

  • The Church will provide attribution for content created with artificial intelligence when the authenticity, accuracy, or authorship of the content could be misunderstood or misleading.
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Privacy and Security

  • The Church’s use of artificial intelligence will safeguard sacred and personal information.
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Accountability

  • The Church uses artificial intelligence in a manner consistent with the policies of the Church and applicable laws.

  • The Church will be measured and deliberate in its use of artificial intelligence by regularly testing and reviewing outputs to help ensure accuracy, truthfulness, and compliance.
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What the General Handbook Says about AI

General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 38.8.48

  • 38.8.48
    Appropriate Use of Artificial Intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) presents opportunities and risks and is continuously changing. AI can enhance learning, facilitate communication, and foster innovation. However, AI cannot substitute for the individual effort or divine inspiration required for personal spiritual growth or genuine relationships with God and others.

    AI should be used responsibly. Church members should not use AI to create or disseminate anything that is false, misleading, illegal, or harmful. They should verify AI-generated output for accuracy.

  • 38.8.48.1
    Learning and Teaching

    AI cannot replace the gift of divine inspiration or the individual work required to receive it. However, AI can be a useful tool to enhance learning and teaching.

    Jesus Christ taught with power and authority (see Matthew 7:28–29). He sought divine direction from His Father. He relied on the scriptures (see Matthew 4:3–10) and prayer (see Luke 6:12). He lived and taught only those things He learned from His Father (see John 8:28; 12:49–50).

    Church members teach the gospel of Jesus Christ from the scriptures and the words of the living prophets as guided by the Holy Ghost (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:11–17; 52:9). As they seek learning by study, faith, and prayer (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:85; 88:118), they invite the Spirit to inspire their minds and hearts (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3; 11:12–14). Through personal effort and the gift of revelation, they can teach God’s word by the power of the Spirit (see Alma 17:2–3; Doctrine and Covenants 50:17–22).

  • 38.8.48.2
    Relationships with God and Others

    Interactions with AI cannot substitute for meaningful relationships with God and others.

    Jesus Christ had a personal and sacred relationship with His Father (see Matthew 3:17; John 17). He prayed to His Father (see Matthew 6:9–13), learned from Him (see John 8:28), and fulfilled His will (see 3 Nephi 27:13).
    Jesus also had meaningful relationships with others (see Luke 2:52). He listened to and talked with them, understood their needs, and ministered to them (see John 4:5–30; Luke 24:13–35).

    Church members are encouraged to follow the Savior’s example by developing genuine relationships with God and others. This requires humility, consistent effort, and patience.

  • 38.8.48.3
    Callings and Assignments

    Leaders and members seek divine inspiration to fulfill their callings and assignments. When used appropriately, AI can be an effective tool to assist them in their duties.

    The following principles should guide leaders and members in the appropriate use of AI in their Church responsibilities:

    • If members use AI, they should do so in positive, helpful, and uplifting ways that uphold the integrity, standards, and teachings of the Church.
    • AI cannot replace the individual work and spiritual guidance required to prepare divinely inspired talks, lessons, prayers, or blessings. However, AI can be helpful for research, editing, translation, and similar tasks.
    • Leaders should not rely upon AI to provide advice to members on medical, financial, legal, or other sensitive matters. If members need assistance beyond the spiritual guidance provided by Church leaders, competent professionals may be helpful (see 31.3.6).
    • Sensitive information, such as Church records, personal member data, or confidential communications, should not be entered into AI tools that are not provided or managed by the Church.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
ChurchofJesusChrist.org/AI