A Christian Ethical Framework for AI

Not Just Tools, But Strategic Change

Kevin Hackert

Artificial Intelligence is more than a set of digital tools—it represents a paradigm shift in how organizations operate, analyze data, and deliver on their missions. For educational leaders and financial decision-makers, AI offers opportunities to optimize operations, drive analytics, and empower teams to serve with greater insight. Beyond emails and restaurant choices, AI is becoming central in financial modeling, risk assessment, and strategic planning, helping institutions allocate resources with unprecedented precision.​

Investing in AI: Vision and Strategy

The “race” to develop advanced AI is driven by its profound impact on competitive advantage in business, education, and security. Billions of dollars invested reflect the expectation that AI will shape entire industries. For CFOs, understanding the business case for AI is crucial—how AI can automate repetitive tasks, reduce overhead, and free leaders to focus on mission-critical strategic decisions. Institutions must weigh ethical considerations (privacy, fairness, transparency) alongside return on investment, ensuring their strategies are value-driven and sustainable.​

Hallucinations and Bias: From Challenge to Opportunity

AI systems are susceptible to “hallucinations,” where outputs may be impressively confident but plain wrong. For academics, this calls for rigorous critical thinking, source validation, and teaching students not to outsource wisdom to algorithms. For financial leaders, bias in datasets can impact decisions about lending, hiring, or resource allocation. The challenge is to regularly audit data flows for fairness and build systems that promote justice and equity. This is an ongoing opportunity to influence technological ethics—combining biblical discernment with professional rigor.​

Transparency, Oversight, and the “Black Box” Problem

One common concern is the “black box”—AI solutions whose decision processes can’t be easily traced. This challenge demands governance: clear protocols for monitoring, documentation, and accountability. CFOs and academic leaders should champion transparent practices, making sure AI not only complies with regulations but also aligns with Judeo-Christian principles of truth, accountability, and stewardship. Creating clear lines of responsibility ensures that, should an AI system create harm, those designing and deploying it are prepared to make corrections and learn from errors.​

Imago Dei and the Human-Centered Approach

The concept of imago Dei—human beings created in God’s image—means every technological solution must uphold human dignity, creativity, and agency. For Christian institutions, this is a call to design AI that empowers users, maintains privacy and autonomy, and supports human flourishing. Rather than replacing people, AI should be leveraged to help them grow, create, and fulfill their God-given potential.​

Modeling, Teaching, & Leading: The Curriculum of Wisdom

Academic and financial leaders must proactively shape curricula and policies that foster wisdom, not just knowledge. Modeling ethical use of AI includes showing how it complements rather than replaces moral judgment or compassion. Teaching students to discern AI’s limits, ethical risks, and strengths helps them become not just competent users of technology, but thoughtful stewards and future leaders. Leading means advocating for standards—such as regular bias audits, transparent reporting, and channels for correction—so institutions remain equipped to navigate changing technological landscapes.​

Redemption and Restoration: AI as a Tool for Good

The broader call is for redemption and restoration—using AI to address needs or restore equity in society. This could mean leveraging AI for medical breakthroughs, resource distribution, or tracking social disparities. Responsible Christian engagement means asking how each application of AI furthers justice, mercy, dignity, and sustainability, always considering its alignment with God’s redemptive work.​

Kevin Hackert has devoted over three decades to Timothy Christian Schools, currently serving as Director of Technology. His educational journey began internationally at Российский государственный педагогический университет in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he taught while partnering with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Guided by his calling, Kevin returned to the United States and embraced the purpose-driven mission of Timothy Christian.

Throughout his tenure, he has contributed as department chair, academic leadership team member, and co-leader of several accreditation initiatives. Kevin holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science and an M.A. in Computer Information Systems. With a passion for technology integration, coaching track and field, and nurturing life-long learners, his vision centers on developing servant leaders equipped to fulfill their God-given purpose in the world for Christ.

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