Digital technology is having a transformative impact on society. From smartphones and conference calls to large language models and machine learning algorithms, these technologies are changing the way we interact, the way we behave, and even the way we think.

In this one-day conference we want to explore what these shifts mean for theologies and religions that identify with a tradition of dissent. We are interested in questions such as:

• What do these new digital technologies mean for how dissenting churches and communities gather, worship, and live out their faith? Does it matter, for example, if sermons are written by ChatGPT?
• How might theologians from dissenting traditions respond to the digital age? How are these technologies altering our theological anthropologies—our very understanding of what it means to be human?
• And what does it mean to continue a commitment to dissent in today’s digital sphere? How are social activists, church leaders, and campaigners using digital technology to oppose prevailing norms in contemporary society?

This event aims to bring together an interdisciplinary range of thinkers and practitioners, including experts in digital theology, church and community leaders, and committed activists.

Speakers:

• Beth Singler
• Jonas Kurlberg
• Calida Chu
• Victoria Turner
• Steve Holmes
• Tim Hutchings
• Chris Goswami
• Nathan McGuire