Around Town: Faith & AI, Alpha’s Impact Report, Good News in The Tyee . . .

The Peter A. Allard School of Law on the UBC campus will host a Faith & AI event next Wednesday (March 19). Speaking will be law professor Benjamin Perrin, who will address the topic ‘A Christian Contribution to Ethical AI.’

Here is some of what will be covered:

As artificial intelligence is increasingly impacting our world, the need for thoughtful ethical frameworks has never been greater. A wide range of critical perspectives have emerged to contribute to this conversation. 

This event invites participants to explore how Christian principles can shape the development and use of AI systems to promote human dignity, justice for the oppressed, environmental stewardship, humility, transparency, accountability and hope.

This event will offer insights into how these faith-driven values can help AI development be a force for good, rather than harm. Join us for a dynamic discussion on this emerging topic. Everyone is welcome.

RSVP for catering purposes. A light lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Benjamin Perrin is a law professor at UBC.

Perrin is well prepared for this presentation:

Benjamin Perrin is a law professor at the University of British Columbia. His research and teaching interests include criminal law, constitutional law, international law and artificial intelligence. Ben leads the UBC AI & Criminal Justice Initiative and is a member of the UBC Centre for Artificial Intelligence Decision-Making and Action (CAIDA).

Ben has served in the Prime Minister’s Office as in-house legal counsel and lead criminal justice and public safety policy advisor. He was also a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada, and advised judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and Special Court for Sierra Leone on international humanitarian law and international criminal law. Ben is a follower of Jesus Christ.

He also edited Artificial Intelligence and Criminal Justice: Cases and Commentary (Canadian Legal Information Institute, 2025), a 500+ page open access ebook.

This event is organized and hosted by the UBC Christian Law Students Association, together with City in Focus; CityGate; Houston Centre for Humanity and the Common Good, Regent College; Centre for Christian Engagement at St. Mark’s College; Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver; Reflector Project; Church for Vancouver; and Tenth Church.

Alpha’s Impact Report

Alpha Canada released an Impact Report March 10, pointing to many signs of growth. The report covers the nation, but the head office is based in New Westminster.

National Director Shaila Visser began her introduction to the 10-page report with these words:

What a year 2024 was! Every year, I am left more in awe at how God moves, but 2024 was truly extraordinary – a year filled with transformation and testimony of his power across Canada.

In 2024 we saw an increase of over 13 percent in Alpha courses compared to 2023. Also, 119,981 guests experienced Alpha in 2024, and of those, 52,281 people started or restored a relationship with Jesus through Alpha. It was a landmark year filled with research, new releases and new records!

We had the privilege of partnering with the Flourishing Congregations Institute to explore how Canadian church leaders perceive and practice evangelism.

Our findings revealed that 72 percent of leaders observed increased spiritual curiosity within their neighbourhoods and communities. This openness is a testament to how God is stirring hearts across our communities.

Perhaps because of this openness, 2024 saw a record number of Alphas run – an astounding 5,194 Alphas hosted in schools, homes, institutions and churches nationwide. God is moving in communities across Canada! We also welcomed 270 Canadians to the UK Leadership Conference in May 2024, the largest number of attendees yet.

Go here for the full report.

Good News in The Tyee

Trinity Western University’s new president had an unexpected opportunity to share the gospel in The Tyee this week. It must have been tough on him, but he rose to the occasion.

A March 10 article by Jen St. Denis ran under the catchy header, ‘Who Follows This Racist X Account with BC Roots? JD Vance for One.’

The subhead raises the ‘guilt by association’ theme developed throughout the article, saying, “It’s apparently run by the son of a BC university president, who denounces the ‘harmful ideas’ spread by the anonymous account.”

Yes, the university is Trinity Western (TWU) and the father, according to the article, is Todd Martin, who was announced as the sixth president of the university February 20.

The article begins:

A Christian liberal arts university in the heart of B.C.’s Bible Belt has responded to allegations that the son of its president runs an influential white supremacist X account.

“Today, I want to make something crystal clear: regardless of its source, I have always and will continue to stand against racism in every form,” Todd Martin, the president of Trinity Western University, said in a statement published on the university’s website on Thursday.

“I reject white supremacy and any ideology that elevates one group of people over another. I denounce the use of derogatory and disparaging labels and language and any attempts to dehumanize another individual or group. I strongly oppose the use of social media for spreading such harmful ideas. And I do this not just because it’s the right thing to do but because it is what God expects of us and how His Spirit compels us to live.”

Dr. Todd Martin meeting with members of the TWU community.

And concludes:

In his statement, Todd Martin said his reading of the Bible underpins his belief that one ethnic group should not be elevated above another.

“Ephesians 2 gives us a powerful reminder of who we are in Christ,” he says in a video message.

“The Apostle Paul speaks to a divided world: Jews and Gentiles, two groups that saw each other as enemies. But Paul describes something radical: Jesus has destroyed the barrier that separates us. ‘For he himself is our peace, who has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.’”

In between, the article:

• gives considerable space to fears about Christian nationalism: “Not all evangelical Christians are Christian nationalists, but [University of Waterloo lecturer Carmen] Celestini said there are overlaps in deeply held socially conservative views.”
• refers (suggesting approval) to the fact that TWU was not granted the right to operate a law school;
• tenders a far-fetched connection to the Worldwide Church of God and British Israelism: “Celestini said there is a link between British Israelism and white nationalism.”

Many comments following the article suggest St. Denis is preaching to the converted: “To think TWU wanted to have a law school. . . . The school of how to break the law. . . . Nut jobs, every one of them. And conservatives.”

TWU’s official media statement reads:

As a university, our priority is always to provide a Christ-centered learning environment for our students. We are aware of allegations against an anonymous social media account unrelated to the university. The views of this account do not reflect those of the university. TWU remains committed to fostering a community where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Go here to see Todd Martin’s March 6 statement to the TWU community.