Who is hosting this event?

This event is hosted by Religion News Service (RNS), a nonprofit newsroom that helps people make sense of a world shaped by faith. For nearly a century, RNS has delivered independent reporting on religion, culture and ethics that informs millions worldwide. Learn more at rns.org.

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Wednesday, October 22

Livestream – God, Government & the Algorithm: New Rules of Belief & Power

By Religion News Service

A free, daylong livestream on belief, power and the forces shaping our world.

Date and time

Location

Online

Agenda

9:15 AM (EST) | Welcome Remarks

Deborah Caldwell (speaker)

Deborah Caldwell, CEO, Religion News Foundation; Publisher, Religion News Service

9:30 AM (EST) | Becoming Better People

Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

Rachel Martin (moderator)

Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and one of the country’s leading public intellectuals. His lat...

10:05 AM (EST) | Faith, Power and Politics

Pastor Tony Suárez

Jack Jenkins (moderator)

Religious ideology has long shaped American politics, but 2025 marks a new chapter in faith-driven activism. In this candid one-on-one conversation, RNS journalist Jack Jenkins talks to the Rev. Tony...

10:35 AM (EST) | Faith, Technology and Religion

Greg M. Epstein

Niala Boodhoo (moderator)

Greg Epstein, Humanist Chaplain at Harvard and MIT, has spent decades at the intersection of ethics, technology and campus life. In this one-on-one conversation, he reflects on the current landscape ...

11:35 AM (EST) | When Faith Meets the Future

Before we dive back in, let’s pause for a moment of reflection featuring short insights from people answering questions about faith, spirituality and the digital age.

11:45 AM (EST) | Who’s Speaking for Morality and Ethics in AI?

Dr. Aaron Dominguez

Haley Griese

Jason DeRose (moderator)

As artificial intelligence increasingly influences elections, warfare, health care and even spiritual practice, urgent questions arise: Whose morality is built into these systems — and who decides? W...

1:55 PM (EST) | When Faith Meets the Future

Before we dive back in, let’s pause for a moment of reflection featuring short insights from people answering questions about faith, spirituality and the digital age.

2:00 PM (EST) | Church, State and the Safety Net

Stanley Carlson-Thies

The Rev. Eugene Cho

Mark Hetfield

Adelle Banks (moderator)

Faith-based organizations have long been a cornerstone of America’s social safety net, often stepping in where government systems fall short. From food pantries to refugee resettlement, these service...

2:45 PM (EST) | Faith After Tragedy

The Rev. Eric S.C. Manning

Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers

The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis

The Rev. Eric Manning of Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church and Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Congregation forged a profound friendship in the aftermath of two of the de...

3:30 PM (EST) | When Faith Meets the Future

Before we end the day, let’s pause for a moment of reflection featuring short insights from people answering questions about faith, spirituality and the digital age.

Good to know

Highlights

6 hours 20 minutes
Online

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 1 day before event

About this event

Spirituality • New Age

Religion is being reshaped by political polarization, technological disruption and shifting cultural norms. On Oct. 22, join Religion News Service online for God, Government and the Algorithm: The New Rules of Belief and Power — a free, daylong livestream exploring the future of faith in public life.

From questions of power and influence to the role of media and technology in shaping belief, this virtual event brings together leading voices from journalism, activism, academia and spiritual leadership for bold conversations about what comes next.

Watch live from anywhere and be part of a timely, thought-provoking symposium. Explore the full program and reserve your spot today to access the livestream.

RNS also extends our gratitude to Lilly Endowment Inc. for their longtime commitment to sustaining our work.

Organized by

Religion News Service

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