University seeks to integrate faith & technology at Southern California campus
Biola University has inaugurated a groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence Lab (AI Lab), where Christian principles actively guide AI’s progress and application in research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“The mission of the AI Lab at Biola is to educate, engage and experiment with AI in a way that reflects the Christian commitment to moral and ethical discernment, human dignity, and the unique capacities inherent in the image of God,” said Dr. Dave Bourgeois, the lab’s director and a professor of business analytics in the Crowell School of Business at Biola.
This pioneering lab will serve as a focal point for faculty across disciplines and students from all majors, emphasizing collaboration and theological integration to deepen our understanding of AI’s societal and spiritual impacts.
Unlike other AI labs nationwide, Biola’s AI Lab will be deeply rooted in theological principles, shaping discussions and practical applications, and serving as an interdisciplinary hub for academic programs campus-wide.
Research from the Barna Group underscores the lab’s importance, showing that Christians are more open to integrating AI into their professional lives compared to non-Christians. Dr. Michael Arena, Dean of the Crowell School of Business, highlighted the lab’s role in advocating for ethically and faith-aligned technological applications.
In addition to the AI Lab, Biola will launch an AI Studio, collaborating with local businesses and nonprofits to advance external AI solutions for positive societal impact, alongside introducing five new classes in the fall term.
