Faith, Technology, and Safety: A Theoretical Framework for Religious Leaders Using Artificial Intelligence to Advocate for Gun Violence Prevention

Abstract

Gun violence remains a pressing moral and public health crisis, necessitating innovative approaches to advocacy within faith communities. This conceptual paper explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the advocacy efforts of religious leaders in combating gun violence. Drawing on social capital theory and techno-ethical frameworks, it examines how AI-driven tools—such as supervised learning for data-driven messaging, unsupervised learning for community trend analysis, reinforcement learning for adaptive advocacy strategies, and hybrid models for comprehensive engagement—can amplify the moral and social influence of religious communities. The study addresses ethical challenges, including privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and the risk of dehumanizing advocacy efforts, proposing guidelines for responsible AI use. Emerging trends, such as federated learning and explainable AI (XAI), are explored as future directions for faith-based advocacy. Regulatory frameworks, including data protection laws and ethical AI standards, are considered for their role in ensuring equitable and transparent technology adoption. This article provides a theoretical foundation for researchers, religious leaders, and policymakers to advance AI-driven advocacy, offering recommendations to align technology with faith-based values in the pursuit of safer communities.