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Calvin University launches faith-and-technology center at AI conference

Calvin University launches faith-and-technology center at AI conference

New Capabilities Grand Rapids, MI local

Three-day event drew more than 650 people to Grand Rapids as Calvin builds out AI programs

October 13th, 2026: AI Coffee & Conversation in Holland, Michigan

Overview

Updated Oct 31

Calvin University's Wisdom in the Age of AI conference ran October 8 to 10, 2026. More than 650 people from over a dozen countries attended, according to the Christian Reformed Church. The university launched the Center for Faith and Technology at the event, housed in its School of Engineering and Computer Science.

The conference ran six topic tracks plus an executive track, covering education, church, business, health care, STEM and the arts. Speakers repeatedly returned to human dignity and the image of God. Calvin cut 12.5% of faculty positions in late 2025 and pairs new AI programs with a faith-based ethics center as enrollment falls.

Why it matters

As enrollment falls, Calvin is betting AI programs paired with faith-based ethics can keep it competitive.

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Key Indicators

650+
Attendees at AI conference
The Christian Reformed Church reported more than 650 attendees from over a dozen countries for the Oct 8-10 conference.
6
Conference tracks covering AI applications
Track topics: arts and humanities, business, church, education, health care, and STEM, plus an executive track.

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People Involved

DS
Derek Schuurman
Calvin University computer science professor and conference organizer
Lead organizer of the Wisdom in the Age of AI conference
 Greg Elzinga
Greg Elzinga
President of Calvin University
Active
 Israel Soong
Israel Soong
Former Director of the Office of Artificial Intelligence at the CIA
Delivered opening keynote on Oct 8, 2026
 Rosalind Picard
Rosalind Picard
MIT professor and Director of the Affective Computing Research Group
Delivered keynote 'Are We Merely Machines?' on October 10
RS
Ryan Struyk
Director of AI Innovation at CNN and Calvin University alumnus
Delivered closing keynote 'The Future of AI and News' on October 10

Organizations Involved

Calvin University
Calvin University
Private Christian liberal arts university
Host institution

A Christian liberal arts university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that is expanding its technology programs.
CF
Center for Faith and Technology
University research center
Newly launched

A center at Calvin University studying AI and emerging technology through a Reformed Christian perspective.
CC
Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship
Research funding body
Grant funder

A Calvin University program that funds interdisciplinary Christian scholarship.
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Higher education association
Conference co-sponsor

An association of Christian colleges and universities that co-sponsored the conference.

Timeline

October 2024 October 2026

8 events Latest: October 13th, 2026 · 4 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. AI Coffee & Conversation in Holland, Michigan

    Latest Event

    The same presentation and discussion for William Spoelhof Society members is held at Evergreen Commons in Holland, MI.

  2. AI Coffee & Conversation for William Spoelhof Society

    Event

    Alumni and donors gather on campus for an AI coffee conversation featuring an exclusive viewing of Andy Crouch's presentation from the Wisdom in the Age of AI conference, followed by discussion.

  3. Conference concludes

    Event

    Final keynotes from MIT's Picard and CNN's Struyk close the event.

  4. Wisdom in the Age of AI conference begins

    Event

    Three-day conference opens; Center for Faith and Technology launches.

  5. Sullivan keynote introduces DELTA Network

    Event

    Notre Dame's Meghan Sullivan gave a Thursday evening keynote on the dignity of learning in the age of AI. She described the Lilly-funded DELTA Network, a year-long study of Christian perspectives on AI.

  6. School of Engineering and Computer Science opens

    Restructuring

    Combines two existing programs under a unified tech-focused vision.

  7. Calvin cuts 12.5% of faculty positions

    Restructuring

    University consolidates programs, including language majors and the journalism minor.

  8. Grant application for faith and AI project

    Funding

    Professors apply to host an AI conference and build a faith and technology hub.

Scenarios

1

Calvin hosts a second AI conference in 2027

Likely Resolves by Nov 30, 2027

Discussed by: Conference organizers and the Calvin Chimes, which reported the grant project as multi-year

The Wisdom in the Age of AI conference is one part of a grant-funded project that also includes an online hub and a book set for summer 2027. If the conference becomes annual, it would solidify Calvin's role as a regular meeting point for Christian AI ethics.

2

'Christian Wisdom for the Age of AI' gains national attention

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: The grant project's stated goal of providing a comprehensive resource directory

The book, with a foreword by theologian Richard Mouw, is set for a summer 2027 release. If it draws reviews in national Christian publications, it could become a reference for faith-based AI ethics beyond Calvin.

3

Center remains dormant after initial grant ends

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2028

Discussed by: The university's emphasis on enrollment-driven program decisions

The center's work is funded by a single CCCS grant supporting the conference, hub, and book. Without new funding or institutional commitment, the center could wind down after the book's release.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1986

Responsible Technology (1986)

The Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship published "Responsible Technology," a book drawing on Reformed philosophical traditions to examine technology's moral dimensions. It was an early effort to bring Christian theology to bear on technology ethics.

Then

The book contributed to a small but active faith-and-technology conversation at Calvin and other Christian universities.

Now

It became a reference point for later work at the intersection of faith and technology.

Why this matters now

The new Center for Faith and Technology is funded by the same Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship, making this launch an extension of a 40-year-old institutional effort.

1969-present

The Hastings Center (1969)

Daniel Callahan and Willard Gaylin founded the Hastings Center in 1969 as one of the first bioethics research institutions. It began by examining ethical questions raised by new medical technologies like ventilators and organ transplants.

Then

The center became a leading voice in bioethics debates through the 1970s and 1980s.

Now

It helped establish bioethics as a recognized field and influenced policy on medical research and end-of-life care.

Why this matters now

The Hastings model shows how a small academic ethics center can grow into a nationally influential institution, a trajectory Calvin may hope to follow with its AI center.

1986-present

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics (1986)

Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution in California, founded the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics in 1986. It brought ethical analysis to business, technology, and civic life from a Catholic perspective.

Then

The center became a regional resource for ethics training and consulting.

Now

It grew into one of the most visible university-based applied ethics centers, often cited in tech ethics discussions.

Why this matters now

As a faith-based university ethics center that gained national visibility, Markkula offers a template for what Calvin's Center for Faith and Technology could become.

Sources

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WOODTV.com Calvin University Calvin University Chimes GovTech We Are the Frontier International Network for Christian Higher Education Christian Reformed Church Calvin University Calvin University Calvin University Calvin University Calvin University Christian Reformed Church Calvin University