Pulpit+ Exchange: AI and the Intersection of Theology, Religion, and Race

Join us for “Pulpit+ Exchange: AI and the Intersection of Theology, Religion, and Race,” a thought-provoking conversation between Rev. Dr. Andy Dunning, Senior Pastor of University Park UMC, and Dr. Phillip Butler, Assistant Professor of Theology and expert in Black posthuman artificial intelligence systems. This event will explore the evolving relationship between technology, spirituality, and race, with a focus on AI’s impact on religious thought and practice. Engage with these two distinguished scholars as they discuss the ethical, theological, and social dimensions of AI in shaping our future.

About the Evening's Agenda

Join other clergy and lay leaders for a light meal from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm (MST). The lecture will begin at 5:30 pm. An opportunity to ask the presenters questions and engage in discussions with colleagues will follow.

About the Evening's Presenters:

Philip Butler is an international scholar whose work primarily focuses on the intersections of neuroscience, technology, spirituality and Blackness. He uses the wisdom of these spaces to engage in critical and constructive analysis on Black posthumanism, artificial intelligence and pluriversal future realities. He is also the founder of the Seekr Project, a distinctly Black conversational artificial intelligence with mental health capacities. Philip has theorized artificial cognitive architectures for synthetic evolving life forms (SELF), presented on emotionally regulating and spiritual experience inducing brain computer interfaces, and has constructed block chain protocols and conceptual logistics infrastructures for a world leader in the industrial hemp space.

Dr. Butler is Partner Director of Iliff’s AI Institute where he leads the 8020 project, where the institute works to change how computers see people, relate to culturally iterative languages and build the bones for a data ownership model that hopefully creates a relational framework for the way AI is made around the globe.

He is also the author of Black Transhuman Liberation Theology: Spirituality and Technology and most recently the editor of Critical Black Futures: Speculative Theories and Explorations. He has published in journals such as The Black Scholar, Journal of Posthuman Studies and the Journal of Future Studies. He is currently working on his second monograph Still Black Posthuman: A Theory of Uncertainty and Disorder.

Rev. Dr. Andy Dunning is the Senior Pastor at University Park United Methodist Church, located near the University of Denver. With over three decades of experience, Andy has served United Methodist churches throughout Colorado and has extensive expertise in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and community development. He holds a Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University, an M.Div. from Iliff School of Theology, and a B.A. from the University of Redlands.

In addition to his pastoral leadership, Andy has played a key role in initiatives focused on domestic violence prevention, poverty alleviation, and faith-based community engagement. His work in the nonprofit sector has included roles in project management, fundraising, and strategic direction for various organizations. Andy’s commitment to thoughtful leadership and community-focused service continues to guide his efforts at University Park UMC and beyond. is the Senior Pastor at University Park United Methodist Church, located near the University of Denver. With over three decades of experience, Andy has served United Methodist churches throughout Colorado and has extensive expertise in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and community development. He holds a Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University, an M.Div. from Iliff School of Theology, and a B.A. from the University of Redlands.

In addition to his pastoral leadership, Andy has played a key role in initiatives focused on domestic violence prevention, poverty alleviation, and faith-based community engagement. His work in the nonprofit sector has included roles in project management, fundraising, and strategic direction for various organizations. Andy’s commitment to thoughtful leadership and community-focused service continues to guide his efforts at University Park UMC and beyond.

About Pulpit+ Exchange

Iliff’s Pulpit+ Exchange Series (supported by the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative from Lilly Endowment Inc.) provides space for a diverse array of ordained clergy and lay leaders to gather for a meal and grapple with challenging issues. One of the main goals of the Pulpit+ Exchange is to build congregations of people who will authentically study, worship, walk, and act together across difference to create a just and equitable world.

Host or Publisher Iliff School of Theology