About the AI Lab at Biola
The AI Lab was initiated by Biola students and faculty with the goal to become the leading resource center for faculty, staff and students as artificial intelligence becomes a prominent presence in today’s society. To connect with our team or if you have any questions, email ai.lab@biola.edu or .
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Mission and Vision
Mission Statement
The mission of the Artificial Intelligence Lab at Biola is to engage and experiment with AI in a way that reflects the Christian commitment to moral and ethical discernment, human dignity, and the unique capacities inherent in the image of God. We aim to be a resource center, actively shaping the future of AI by providing education, fostering dialogue and leading innovative AI projects rooted in the Christian tradition.
Vision Statement
The Artificial Intelligence Lab at Biola (AI Lab) will be a leading resource for Christians who seek to understand and responsibly use artificial intelligence in its many manifestations and applications to glorify God and share his love with the world.
Core Values
The AI lab will adhere to core principles of Biblical centrality, ethical discernment, human dignity, education, innovation for kingdom impact, human interaction, interdisciplinary collaboration, and honesty and transparency. This commitment aligns with our belief in integrating Christian values into the development and application of AI technologies.
Biblical Centrality
Every activity we undertake will be covered in prayer and measured against the teachings of Scripture.
Ethical Discernment
We prioritize moral and ethical discernment in the development and application of AI technologies, ensuring that our work aligns with Biblical values. This includes active participation in ongoing ethical discussions within the Christian community.
Human Dignity
We uphold the inherent worth and dignity of individuals, recognizing humans as created in the image of God. Our AI endeavors seek to enhance human flourishing by addressing societal challenges while respecting individual privacy and independence.
Education and Equipping
We are committed to educating students, faculty and the broader Christian community in order to equip them with technical skills while instilling a deep understanding of Christian values and principles. We will provide education on such topics as AI ethics, theology of technology and interdisciplinary seminars.
Innovation for Kingdom Impact
We actively engage in AI projects that cater to the needs of the Christian community or are grounded in Christian perspectives, values or principles. We encourage the use of AI for social impact, addressing issues such as poverty alleviation, humanitarian aid and medical care to mention a few.
Human Interaction
Our lab actively prioritizes the need for genuine human connections. While AI might enhance human interactions, it can never replace them. Our AI activities will emphasize the importance of face-to-face communication, empathy, accountability and relational aspects of faith. AI should complement and support, not substitute, the richness of human relationships within the Christian community.
Interdisciplinary Approach
We embrace an interdisciplinary approach that goes beyond technical acumen, fostering collaborations between AI experts, theologians, ethicists, and social scientists. At Biola, we are uniquely positioned to draw from Christian scholars, students and alumni in theology, psychology, the sciences, business, film, the arts and more. This ensures a holistic perspective that integrates technological advancements with Christian ethics.
Honesty and Transparency
We recognize the areas where AI systems can struggle with biases in their training data and with ‘hallucinations’, where responses and their objective truth can be distorted. We advocate for AI usage that embraces the citation of sources and provides the logic behind outputs. This transparency aids people in evaluating the reliability and quality of AI outputs, allowing them to make more informed decisions.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Faculty and Staff
David Bourgeois
Director of AI Lab
Professor of Business Analytics and Information Systems
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Stefan Jungmichel
Associate Director of AI Lab
Assistant Director of AI Strategic Engagements
Joseph Hartono
Associate Director of AI Lab
Michael Arena
Dean of the Crowell School of Business
Yohan Lee
Associate Dean of Technology for the School of Science, Technology and Health
Douglas Axe
Co-Director, Stewart Science Honors Program
Rosa Endowed Chair of Molecular Biology
Silvia Mah
Director of Office of Innovation
Adjunct Professor
Genti Buzi
Associate Professor of Computer Science and Robotics
Director, Robotics Program
Aaron Kleist
Professor of English
Tim Milosch
Senior Instructional Designer
Adjunct Faculty, Political Science
James Calley
Director of Systems Administration
Stacy Eltiti
Director of Research, Associate Professor of Psychology
Steve Earle
Chief Information Officer
Susan Kaneshiro
Senior Director of HR
Chris Leland
Associate Provost of Faculty Development
Steve Taylor
Assistant Professor, CMA
AI Lab Associates
Mani Ellerington
Cinema and Media Arts
En Duo Wang
Computer Science
Natasha Warner
Business Administration
Felicity Zhang
Business Major
Alumni Associates
Gabriel Anderson
Computer Science
Carolina Pestana
Psychology
Business Administration
Clarissa Jocelyn
Art
Apprentices
Megan Lai
Computer Science Major
Max Chandra
Data Science Major
Ben Currie
Computer Science Major
Clara Zhao
Robotics Major
Ngozi Okoye
Robotics Major
Our Logo
Inspired by Psalms 1, the logo — deeply rooted in the Bible — showcases our dedication to biblical centrality. Its branches, designed to mirror the intricate patterns of neural networks, signify our thoughtful integration of technology and AI from a faith-based perspective. The tree prominently bears three hollow fruits, emphasizing the foundational Christian doctrine of the trinity. Below, six roots represent the days of creation, with the deliberate absence of the seventh, highlighted by a cross through the tree's core, underscoring our belief in eternal rest and faith in Jesus Christ.
About the AI Lab Apprenticeship Program
The AI Lab Apprenticeship Program is a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in a professional AI environment. This is an applied position designed for individuals who are passionate about learning, growing, and contributing to meaningful projects.
What You'll Do
As an apprentice, you'll be coworking with the AI Lab staff, receiving mentorship and working on real-world projects that contribute to our mission. This is not only learning theory. The lab believes in solving real problems for people's needs. You'll gain practical skills in:
- Building technical products: Translate ideas into functional solutions.
- Design thinking: Approach problems from a human-centered perspective.
- Problem-solving: Develop and implement solutions to real-world challenges.
More Than Technical Skills
Beyond the technical work, this program focuses on your personal growth and character development. You'll learn how to use AI tools with academic integrity and wisdom, discerning when and how to apply them responsibly.
This apprenticeship is an excellent opportunity for students who want to contribute their abilities to something greater, glorify God through their work, and learn personal skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
How to Apply
If you're interested in joining us, you can . We look forward to seeing how you can contribute to our team and mission.
Biola University's AI Lab is dedicated to integrating Christian values into the development and application of artificial intelligence. Take a look in our annual review for highlights of our latest projects, achievements and the impact of faith-driven innovation in the field of AI.