The G20 Interfaith Forum Podcast

This episode is a recording of the fifth webinar in our AI Webinar Series.    Please the webinar details below.    Moderator: Professor Pieter Francois (Professor of Cultural Evolution, University of Oxford)   Speakers: Lord John Alderdice (House of Lords, United Kingdom) Julian Wienberg (Founder, Dialogue Action)   AI can strengthen peacebuilding by helping communities detect conflict early, bridge divides through dialogue, and support collaborative problem-solving rooted in human dignity. Prof. Pieter Francois, a professor of cultural evolution at Oxford University, has done research on digital diplomacy and AI. He will lead a discussion with others who have been actively studying the use of AI in peacebuilding.

This episode is a recording of the fourth webinar in our AI Webinar Series. Please the webinar details below.   Moderator: Audrey Kitagawa (President/Founder, International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation)   Speakers: John C. Havens (Founding Executive Director, The IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems) Dr. Arthur Lyon Dahl (President, International Environment Forum) David C. Korten (President/Founder, Living Economies Forum)   AI can help protect the planet by improving how we monitor ecosystems, predict climate patterns, and manage natural resources. AI harms the planet when its data centers consume massive amounts of electricity, much of which still comes from fossil fuels. The production of AI hardware—especially chips—requires intensive mining, water use, and manufacturing processes that strain ecosystems. As AI models grow larger, their carbon footprint increases, making sustainable design and energy-efficient systems essential for reducing environmental damage. When guided by environmental values, AI becomes a tool that strengthens planetary stewardship rather than straining it.

This episode is a recording of the third webinar in our AI Webinar Series. Please the webinar detail below.   Moderator: Dr. Marianna Richardson (Director, G20 Interfaith Forum Communications)   Speakers: David Wingate (Professor of Computer Science, Brigham Young University) Michael Graham (Program Director, The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics at The Gospel Coalition)   AI benchmarks are essential tools for evaluating whether artificial intelligence systems behave safely, fairly, and effectively in real-world contexts. The best benchmarks go beyond technical accuracy and measure qualities like robustness, transparency, and alignment with human values. As AI becomes more powerful, researchers are calling for pluralistic, community-grounded benchmarks that reflect diverse cultural, ethical, and social perspectives—not just narrow technical metrics. Strong benchmarks help ensure AI development stays accountable and supports human flourishing rather than undermining it.

This episode is a recording of the second webinar in our AI Webinar Series. Please find the webinar details below.   Moderator: Dr. Marianna Richardson (Director, G20 Interfaith Forum Communications)   Speakers: Steve Richardson (Professor of Computer Science, Brigham Young University) Ammon Shurtz (Computer Scienve PhD Student, Brigham Young University) Charles Cranney (Senior Manager of Digital Media, BYU Brand & Creative)   AI is transforming translation by making it faster, more accessible, and capable of handling dozens of languages that previously lacked digital tools. These systems can bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, helping people learn, collaborate, and share ideas across borders. At the same time, AI translation still struggles with nuance, tone, and culturally embedded meaning, reminding us that human judgment remains essential. When used thoughtfully, AI becomes a powerful partner in expanding understanding while preserving the richness of human language. Professor Stephen D. Richardson is working on low-resource languages in Africa to encourage the communication and preservation of tribal languages.

This episode is a recording of our AI Webinar Series kick-off webinar held on June 18, 2026. Please find the webinar details below.   Moderator: Audrey Kitagawa (President/Founder, International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation)   Speakers: Will Jones (Associate of Futures Program, Future of Life Institute) Dr. DZ Kalman (Fellow at Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University) Chris Scammell (Co-Founder, Buddhism & AI Initiative)   AI and faith meet at the point where technology forces humanity to reconsider dignity, purpose, and moral responsibility. Many religious traditions see AI as a positive tool for society to use, while also raising concerns about justice, identity, and the limits of machine reasoning. Across these traditions, leaders emphasize that AI must remain grounded in human moral agency, empathy, and spiritual insight. Overall, the dialogue between AI and faith is not about resisting technology but about shaping it. Religious voices seek to ensure that AI serves humanity ethically, preserves what is sacred about human life, and supports a future rooted in wisdom, compassion, and moral responsibility.

Prof. Husna Ahmad OBE is the CEO of Global One 2015 and a member of the IF20 Advisory Board. Her efforts leading women and faith-based organizations to promote sustainable development have made massive impact on a global scale. In this episode, Prof. Ahmad shares the type of effect that religious individuals and organizations can have on the progress of the sustainable development goals. She also shares insights on the consequences of the rapid development of AI, and gives a peek into IF20's efforts to prepare for the UK's G20 presidency in 2027.

IF20's Executive Director Whitney Clayton sits down with Professor Rodrigo Vitorino Souza Alves, who leads the The Brazilian Center of Studies in Law and Religion and is a professor at the Federal University of Uberlandia. Professor Alves also led the local organizing team for the 2024 IF20 Annual Forum in Brasilia, Brazil. In this interview, Professor Alves highlights the history and current status of freedom of religion or belief in Brazil. The insights that he shares provide helpful context for understanding the dynamics of freedom of religion or belief across the globe.

John C. Havens is the Global Director for Planet Positive 2030 at The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association (IEEE SA). As an author of multiple books on sustainable technology development and an expert on the intersection of faith, environmental protection, and AI, John shares with us a unique perspective on what's needed to change the direction of tech development in an innovative - yet fragile - world.

Michael Young served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and is the former president of three major universities. He contributes to the G20 Interfaith Forum by serving on the IF20 Advisory Council. In this interview, co-hosted by Stuart and IF20's executive director Whitney Clayton, Michael shares what he has learned from a life dedicated to human rights, religious freedom, and leadership. 

Rachel Miner is the founder and CEO of Bellwether International, an NGO that promotes peace and evidenced-based efforts against genocide. She has spoken at multiple of IF20's annual forums and is an economics-focused expert on religious freedom, ethics in AI, and peacebuilding. In this episode, Rachel teaches about the necessity of interfaith cooperation in the quest for both ethical AI development and genocide prevention.