10 Tips for Learning and Using AI

Written by Amanda Blake

1. Take That First Step 
“Experiment with [AI tools],” Greg Iverson says. “Spend time with them. That’s the best way to get a feel for it. They’re not immediately dangerous.” 

Jai Roza recommends searching YouTube to find instructional videos, specifically ones on AI prompting. 

2. Keep a Journal 
 Roza has found it beneficial to keep a digital journal where he documents prompts that worked well and specific conversations with AI. 
 
3. Frame Your Prompts 
When feeding an AI questions or instructions, specify the kind of answers you’re searching for. Desmond Suarez gives an example: “From a Seventh-day Adventist perspective …” 

4. Know Your Stuff 
Dave Gemmell notes that you need some level of competency in a subject to effectively use AI to create something within that subject. For example, Gemmell discovered that his theological training equipped him to write effective prompts for Bible study. But when it came to generative imaging, he struggled.  
 
5. Take Answers With a Grain of Salt 
AI assistants are overly affirming, says Iverson. It’s important to ask for constructive criticism and remember to run ideas by trusted human peers. 

6. Fact Check, Fact Check, Fact Check 
Gemmell shares that, during his Bible studies, he constantly cross references information and double checks AI’s research. His go-to prompt for fact checking is: “How did you come up with your answer?” 

7. Let It Help Your Weak Points 
“[AI] can make me sound a lot better than I otherwise would be,” Iverson says about his sermon-writing process: “I would hesitate to try and replace my strengths with it, but it does a good job filling in my weaknesses.” 

8. Be Transparent 
“Don’t go up front and say, ‘This sermon outline was generated by ChatGPT,’” Iverson advises. “You don’t have to be out there telling everybody about it. But if someone asks, don’t be afraid to admit it, like, ‘Yeah, I use ChatGPT in my sermon prep. Here’s how I use it.’” 

Kriston Vardiman believes one of the best ways to manage people’s concerns about AI is to be completely transparent about when and how it’s used. 

“If something is AI-generated—especially audio—I disclose it,” she says. “I do not want people to feel misled.” 

9. Try Different Tools 
There’s a host of generative AI assistants and tools out there—many free to explore. The most popular, according to Iverson, are ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Google Gemini, and Grok. 

“As far as which one’s the best,” he explains, “they tend to leapfrog each other several times over the course of the year.” 

To learn more about how Adventists are using AI from “power users,” Paolo Esposito recommends checking out the “Advent AI Lab” Facebook group, a resource also recommended by ALC in its “AI for Pastors” course. 

10. Maintain Human Connection 
Many are turning to AI for friendship and advice, or using it instead of using “trial and error or asking a human” for help, says Adam Fenner. “We've already seen some very significant changes in how we interact with people.”  

He is adamantly opposed to an AI interacting with people in ministry. “Yes, we do need to use technology to be efficient, to make sure that we push things. But in that process, if we don't image God and focus on relationships. We're in trouble,” says Fenner.