How can a person of faith embody and exhibit faith-centered values in the online world, including social media and AI?

Presentation by Dr. Alva Couch and Rev. Jo Nygard Owens

Prof. Couch has taught Computer Science at Tufts University for 38 years. He founded and directs the Data Science programs at Tufts, which teach how to apply machine learning and AI to solve real-world problems. His contribution to the seminar is based upon lessons in his undergraduate courses in data science.

Rev. Jo Nygard Owens
- National Program Coordinator for the Episcopal Preaching Foundation and inaugural Pastor for Digital Ministry at Washington National Cathedral.

Presentation Topics

• We’ll discuss the strengths and dangers of online engagement, with attention to the differences between actions that bring people together in love and understanding, and actions that drive people apart in confusion, fear, and hatred. 

• We’ll discuss barriers to trust, including online fraud, AI-generated “deep fakes,” and non-human AI agents that can successfully impersonate humans.

• We’ll discuss the social effects of “confirmation bias”, creating situations in which people tend to choose to believe convenient lies instead of inconvenient truth. 

• We’ll think about the deep and persistent questions of how, when, and what to trust in an online world, and how not to fall prey to that which divides us, but instead how to act in ways that bring us together in faith and fellowship.

General Program: 

• Short presentations

• Group discussions

• Meal provided at no cost

• Attendees may come in person at Rocky River United Methodist Church or join on zoom.

• Register by Monday, March 16

• Questions contact cavicchichristianed@gmail.com

Past Events

Watch the 2025 seminar video recording, “A World of Scarcity: Living on a Low-Income Budget” held on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

“A World of Scarcity:  Living on a Low-Income Budget” met on Sunday April 6, 2025, 4:00-7:30pm. The Seminar presenter is Terry Rounds, Greater Cleveland Food Bank; this presentation begins at 11 minutes in the video. This illustrated presentation provides facts about how income, costs, and family circumstances affect low-income families, information about how the brain reacts to scarcity and the US definition of poverty level.  Terry shares personal stories from his work with low-income individuals and families.  Patrick Kearns, of Re:Source Cleveland presents “Life for a Low-Income Immigrant” at 1 hour 49 minutes in the video.  Pastor Lisa Thomas, Director of the Twice Blessed Free Store and Pastor of Independence UMC, presents “The Role of Faith” at 2 hours 20 minutes in the video.If you would like to watch videos of the seminars from previous years, click on the button below.