Throughout the Akron-Canton region, religious leaders across faiths are integrating artificial intelligence into their work and everyday lives − or actively choosing not to use it at all. Here’s how:
The Rev. Walter J. Arrington
Role: Senior pastor, People’s Baptist in Canton
AI use: Does not use.
Rabbi Joshua Brown
Role: Rabbi, Temple Israel in Bath (Reform)
AI use: Uses Chat GPT often for research, idea generation, editing and to format first drafts of documents like press releases.
Rabbi Rachel Brown
Role: Rabbi, Beth Israel-The West Temple in Cleveland (Reform)
AI use: Researching topics and editing her writing.
The Rev. Steve Brunovsky
Role: Pastor, Saint Hilary in Fairlawn
AI use: Creating ideas and jumping-off points.
The Rev. Benjamin George
Role: Co-pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church in Canton
AI use: Uses Gemini as a research partner to pressure test his logic or explore linguistic nuances when working on sermons.
Rabbi Moshe Sasonkin
Role: Rabbi, orthodox synagogue Anshe Sfard in Bath (Orthodox)
AI use: Idea generation, editing and creating a to-do list in his email each morning.
Shaykh Musa Sugapong
Role: Imam for the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent in Cuyahoga Falls
AI use: Transcription, dictation and creating study guides for Knowman Learning, the school he co-founded in Middleburg Heights.
Got a story recommendation? Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@usatoday.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal. Canton Repository reporter Charita Goshay contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Meet the religious leaders we spoke to about AI use
Reporting by Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
