On Monday, Nov. 18, King’s Institute for Faith & Culture tackles questions of faith, artificial intelligence (AI), and the perception of truth with computer scientist Derek Schuurman, Ph.D.

Schuurman is professor of Computer Science at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and will present twice on Nov. 18. At 9:15 a.m. in King’s Memorial Chapel he will offer “AI and the Biblical Story: Thoughts from a Christian Computer Scientist.” That evening at 7 p.m., he will present “Personhood and the Perception of Truth in the Age of AI” at First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Avenue in Bristol, Tennessee. Both events are open to the public and free of charge.

Schuurman’s fascination with technology began in his early teens with an interest in ham radio and afterwards, his first computer. He received his bachelor and master of applied science in electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, and his doctorate from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

His ongoing evaluation of our modern mix of ethics, faith, and technology led him to author “Shaping a Digital World,” and to co-author “A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers and Designers,” both published by IVP Academic.

“Derek Schuurman is voyaging ahead of us into complex and challenging territories, and we’re fortunate to have him guide the way,” said Martin Dotterweich, Ph.D., director of the Institute. “As we grapple with the scope and meaning of AI and how we as Christians deal with its inherent ethical questions, we’re grateful that Derek is able to give us a clear-eyed perspective of how it can and will influence our world.”

Schuurman is a fellow of the American Scientific Affiliation, an associate fellow of the Kirby Laing Centre, and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He is also a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Christian Engineering Society (CES), Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences (ACMS), a book review editor for Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, a regular contributor to the Christian Scholars Review blog, and a columnist for Christian Courier.