On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, our latest discussion on how artificial intelligence is incorporated into daily life. A 2026 study found 93.5% of pastors have used or experimented with AI.  Dr. Brady Beard, the Associate Librarian at Pitts Theology Library at Emory University, joins the program to discuss a new and free online course, “Speaking of God in an Age of Artificial Intelligence: Equipping Congregations for Ethical Engagement.” The class offers participants specific sessions to think critically about the various uses of AI in religious environments.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, our latest discussion on how <a href="https://www.wabe.org/ai/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">artificial intelligence</a> is incorporated into daily life. A 2026 study found 93.5% of pastors have used or experimented with AI.&nbsp; Dr. Brady Beard, the Associate Librarian at Pitts Theology Library at Emory University, joins the program to discuss a new and free online course, &ldquo;<a href="https://share.articulate.com/IiHgEgdcw1jMjYNok6sda" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">Speaking of God in an Age of Artificial Intelligence: Equipping Congregations for Ethical Engagement</a>.&rdquo; The class offers participants specific sessions to think critically about the various uses of AI in religious environments.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

Closer Look with Rose Scott

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

 Educating faith leaders and congregations about artificial intelligence

As our education system moves further into the age of artificial intelligence, a new book is urging America to remember past harms. On today’s edition of Closer Look with Rose Scott, we focus on AI, starting the conversation with Dr. Kamau Bobb, author of The Bullwhip's Algorithm: Artificial Intelligence and America's Racial Caste System. Dr. Bobb raises questions about the dependency of AI technologies that claim to improve academic outcomes. Plus, he argues why it's important to confront the racial inequities embedded in its history and, if ignored, how an AI-led education will factor in issues of race, history, and literacy disparities among Black students.

 

Then, can AI co-habitat in harmony with old school, made-by-hand artists? Is technology stealing from creators or is AI widening the creative space? And what are the guardrails around AI? We have a roundtable discussion with Denish Shah, the director of the Department of Marketing at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, and Jermaine Lee, known creatively as J. Frequency, an independent artist, creative director, and filmmaker exploring the intersection of contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and artificial intelligence. 

As our education system moves further into the age of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/ai/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">artificial intelligence</a>, a new book is urging America to remember past harms. On today&rsquo;s edition of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we focus on AI, starting the conversation with <a href="https://www.kamaubobb.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">Dr. Kamau Bobb</a>, author of The Bullwhip's Algorithm: Artificial Intelligence and America's Racial Caste System. Dr. Bobb raises questions about the dependency of AI technologies that claim to improve academic outcomes. Plus,&nbsp;he argues why it's important to confront the racial inequities embedded in its history and, if ignored, how an AI-led education will factor in issues of race, history, and literacy disparities among Black students.
&nbsp;
Then, can AI co-habitat in harmony with old school, made-by-hand artists? Is technology stealing from creators or is AI widening the creative space? And what are the guardrails around AI? We have a roundtable discussion with <a href="https://denishshah.com/index.html" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3" data-ogsc="">Denish Shah</a>, the director of the Department of Marketing at Georgia State University&rsquo;s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jfrequencyai" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4" data-ogsc="">Jermaine Lee</a>, known creatively as J. Frequency, an independent artist, creative director, and filmmaker exploring the intersection of contemporary R&amp;B, hip-hop, and artificial intelligence.&nbsp;

AI and racial equity in education; guardrails around AI-inspired creativity

Title IX – it was signed into law by President Richard Nixon more than 50 years ago, but it still has a wide-ranging impact today. It states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." In 2026, Title IX is often at the center of three legal battlegrounds: The responsibility of educational institutions to investigate sexual assault and domestic violence, equality in women's sports, and the rights of transgender students. But the standards of Title IX have seen many implementations during the Obama and Biden Administrations, and rollbacks during the Trump Administrations. On today’s special edition of “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we examine what these rollbacks have meant for reporting discrimination and sexual violence in schools and sports. We also spoke with two leaders of an Atlanta-area youth sports nonprofit, as well as a local college student-athlete and youth coach. They discuss mentoring youth to prevent sexual misconduct and the challenges young people face with reporting assault on campus.

 

GUESTS INCLUDE:

 

Diana Moskovitz, Investigations Editor for Defector Media

 

Megan Ballard Mitchell, Title IX Attorney at the Law Offices of M. Ballard Mitchell

 

C.J. Stewart, co-founder of the Atlanta based L.E.A.D. Center for Youth

 

Kelli Stewart, CEO of the Atlanta based L.E.A.D. Center for Youth

 

MacKenna, local college student-athlete and youth coach

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-title-ix-e02d90d300218ebcbb9dd0344053e05c">Title IX</a> &ndash; it was signed into law by President Richard Nixon more than 50 years ago, but it <a href="https://apnews.com/article/title-ix-timeline-5fc023ca41d7d8c2489de24a23413938">still has a wide-ranging impact today</a>. It states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." In 2026, Title IX is often at the center of three legal battlegrounds: The responsibility of educational institutions to investigate sexual assault and domestic violence, equality in women's sports, and the rights of transgender students. But the standards of Title IX have seen many implementations during the Obama and Biden Administrations, and <a href="https://defector.com/the-trump-administration-rolls-back-title-ix-protections-again">rollbacks during the Trump Administrations</a>. On today&rsquo;s special edition of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we examine what these rollbacks have meant for reporting discrimination and sexual violence in schools and sports. We also spoke with two leaders of an Atlanta-area youth sports nonprofit, as well as a local college student-athlete and youth coach. They discuss mentoring youth to prevent sexual misconduct and the challenges young people face with reporting assault on campus.
&nbsp;
GUESTS INCLUDE:
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.dianamoskovitz.com/">Diana Moskovitz</a>, Investigations Editor for <a href="https://defector.com/author/diana-moskovitz">Defector Media</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.ballardmitchell.com/attorneys/megan-ballard-mitchell/">Megan Ballard Mitchell</a>, Title IX Attorney at the Law Offices of M. Ballard Mitchell
&nbsp;
<a href="https://leadcenterforyouth.org/about-us/our-founder/">C.J. Stewart</a>, co-founder of the Atlanta based L.E.A.D. Center for Youth
&nbsp;
<a href="https://leadcenterforyouth.org/about-us/our-founder/">Kelli Stewart</a>, CEO of the Atlanta based L.E.A.D. Center for Youth
&nbsp;
MacKenna, local college student-athlete and youth coach

Title IX rollbacks reportedly weaken investigations of discrimination and sexual misconduct 

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we begin with the following statement from WABE and Show Host Rose Scott: “As the Closer Look Executive Producer, I do not authorize or endorse the use of a clip from a 2021 documentary about then Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The clip is being used in a campaign advertisement supporting Rick Jackson’s campaign for Governor. WABE is committed to accurate, fact-based, and contextually complete journalism. The excerpt used in the advertisement has been presented outside its original context. WABE, Closer Look, and I do not endorse any candidate or campaign.”

 

Then, we welcome onto the program, Craig Ford, professor at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. He offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of faith, LGBTQ+ identity, and ethics. In his course, Queer Theology and Queer Ethics, he explores how queer thought can fundamentally reshape how we understand Christianity, community, morality, and contemporary ethical debates.

 

Finally, we revisit a conversation we had with some recent graduates – kindergarteners! For our Class of 2026 series, they give us the wise wisdom of dreaming about your future and being brave about starting first grade.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we begin with the following statement from WABE and Show Host Rose Scott: &ldquo;As the Closer Look Executive Producer, I do not authorize or endorse the use of a clip from a 2021 documentary about then Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The clip is being used in a campaign advertisement supporting Rick Jackson&rsquo;s campaign for Governor. WABE is committed to accurate, fact-based, and contextually complete journalism. The excerpt used in the advertisement has been presented outside its original context. WABE, Closer Look, and I do not endorse any candidate or campaign.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Then, we welcome onto the program, <a href="https://craigford.net/">Craig Ford</a>, professor at Emory University&rsquo;s Candler School of Theology. He offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of faith, LGBTQ+ identity, and ethics. In his course, Queer Theology and Queer Ethics, he explores how queer thought can fundamentally reshape how we understand Christianity, community, morality, and contemporary ethical debates.
&nbsp;
Finally, we revisit a conversation we had with some <a href="https://www.wabe.org/metro-atlanta-2026-kindergartener-grads-reflect-on-their-educational-milestone/">recent graduates &ndash; kindergarteners</a>! For our Class of 2026 series, they give us the wise wisdom of dreaming about your future and being brave about starting first grade.

Educating faith leaders and congregations about artificial intelligence

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