Ethical Considerations in the Use of Artificial Intelligence for Evangelism Among Christians in Abeokuta North Local Government, Ogun State

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked significant ethical concerns, particularly in its application within religious activities such as evangelism. This research examines the moral dimensions of using AI to facilitate evangelism in the Abeokuta North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria Christian community. It investigates how AI tools are employed to share religious messages, highlighting ethical challenges such as privacy, content authenticity, and the influence on traditional spiritual practices. The study aims to analyze AI's potential benefits and drawbacks in evangelism, focusing on issues like data security, the reliability of AI-generated messages, and the broader cultural and spiritual implications for local believers. A mixed-method approach is adopted, integrating qualitative insights from interviews with church leaders from denominations such as Winners Chapel, Harvest House Christian Church, and the Redeemed Christian Church of God. These interviews delve into their perceptions of AI’s role in evangelism, associated ethical concerns, and its impact on church activities. Complementing this, quantitative data is obtained through surveys distributed to congregants, capturing their views on AI-driven evangelism, trust in the technology, and related apprehensions. The study also assesses AI-based evangelism tools, examining their compatibility with Christian values and teachings. The findings underscore ethical challenges, such as diminished personal engagement in spiritual interactions, risks to privacy, and questions about the credibility of AI-generated religious materials. Based on these insights, the research recommends ethical principles for using AI in evangelism, advocating for a balance between innovation and preserving spiritual authenticity.