Organized Intelligence - 2025 Conference
Latter-day Saint Perspectives on AI
Organized Intelligence is a new initiative supported by the Future of Life Institute and partner organizations that brings together Latter-day Saint voices from across disciplines to explore the ethical, social, and religious implications of AI.
Our first gathering will take place November 4-5, 2025, at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, Utah and will convene scholars, creatives, technologists, and religious leaders to discuss questions such as:
How can faith traditions offer insight into the ethical and spiritual challenges raised by AI?
What are the most pressing societal risks posed by advanced AI systems?
In what ways might religious voices contribute to shaping AI ethics and public policy?
How can AI be harnessed responsibly for humanitarian and faith-based purposes?
WHO IT’S FOR
This event is open to:
Scholars & Students
Artists & Storytellers
Church Leaders & Technologists
Ethicists, Policy Thinkers, and Curious Minds
AGENDA
Day 1-Tuesday, November 4, 2025
8:00 AM — Registration
9:00 AM — Welcome Remarks
Medlir Mema “Why Organized Intelligence: A Latter-day Saint Perspective on AI”
9:30 AM — Opening Keynote
Speaker: Kim B. Clark “Deep Learning in the Age of AI”
10:00 AM — Distinguished Lecture
Terryl Givens “Human Intelligence: Love, Language and Presence”
10:45 AM — Panel: “Faith, Ethics, and AI”
Moderator: Fred Axelgard
Julie Slater Crane “The Evolving Legal Landscape of AI Governance”
Derek Monson “The Role of State and Local Actors in Building Trust and Accountability in AI Policy”
Marianna Richardson “How Multifaith and Interfaith Efforts Can Foster Ethical Dialogue and Collaboration in the Age of AI”
12:00 PM — Lunch Break
1:30 PM — Big Ideas
Josh Coates “Faith and AI in 800,000 Conversations”
1:50 PM — OI Survey: Understanding Latter-day Saint Views of AI
Presenters: Matt Miles & Peter Cardon
2:20 PM — Conversation: “Tech and Youth”
Moderator: Aubrey Chaves
Chris Yadon “Unmasking the Digital Threat - How AI is Fueling a New Wave of Child Exploitation”
2:40 PM — Big Ideas
Carl Youngblood “What Is Intelligence? Insights from Latter-day Saint Scripture”
Ben Christensen “From Values to Value: Integrating Faith Values into Responsible AI”
Seth Lewis “Dialogue and the Divine: Possibilities and Perils of Human-Machine Communication”
3:45 PM — Artist Talk: “AI and the Latter-day Saint Imagination”
Speaker: Steven Peck (BYU)
4:15 PM — The Writers’ Circle
Moderator: Zachary Davis
Participants: Steven Peck, Liz Busby, James Goldberg
4:45 PM — Reception & Exhibit: “Immersive Faith Futures”
Curated by Aubrie Mema and Steevun Lemon
Art installations, VR experiences, and creative explorations of AI and faith.
DAY 2 — WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025
8:00 AM — Registration
9:00 AM — Welcome Remarks
William Jones “Religion and AI: Right, Wrong and the Road Ahead”
9:30 AM — Featured Address
Bennett Borden “The Moral Architecture of Intelligence”
10:00 AM — Distinguished Lecture
Valerie Hudson “What Are We Doing? AI Costs: Principles of Mitigation”
10:30 AM — Keynote Address
Speaker: Elder Gerrit W. Gong
11:30 AM — Panel: “AI’s Impact on Religious Practices and Belief”
Moderator: Tim Chaves
Panelists: Rachael Hutchings; Neylan McBaine; Jared Halverson
12:45 PM — Lunch Break
2:15 PM — Big Ideas
Barclay Burns “Discipleship in the Age of AI”
2:35 PM — Spotlight: State of Utah’s approach to AI
Margaret Busse “Pro-Human Leadership in the Age of AI”
2:55 PM — Big Ideas
Daniel Nielson “AI Needs an Owner’s Manual—and Business Leaders Demand It”
Michael Roberts “How Technology Can Serve Human Dignity at the Global Table”
3:30 PM — Panel: “AI for Religious and Humanitarian Purposes”
Moderator: Francesco Di Lillo
Panelists: David Ashby; Steve Richardson; Michael House; Luis Camara Manoel
4:15 PM — Big Ideas
Rachael Johnson and Ben Peters “Retrieving the Humanities in the Age of LLMs”
4:30 PM — Closing Keynote
Zachary Davis “The Gospel of Inefficiency: Thinking about AI with Jesus”
5:00 PM — Conclusion
Medlir Mema “OI: A call for engagement”
Leadership
Organized Intelligence is hosted by Medlir Mema (Organized Intelligence), Zachary Davis (Faith Matters), and Will Jones (Future of Life Institute).
