Protecting Human Dignity: A Guide to the NAE's Biblical Framework for AI Policy
TL;DR: The NAE's AI policy framework argues that because humans are made in God's image, lawmakers must create regulations that defend against digital exploitation and uphold moral accountability for new technologies.
The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has outlined a biblical policy framework for artificial intelligence grounded in the Imago Dei . It asserts that because every person is made in God's image, public policy must defend human dignity from AI-driven harms like non-consensual deepfakes and algorithmic bias, establishing clear guardrails for moral accountability.
Key takeaways
The NAE's entire framework for AI is rooted in the biblical teaching of Genesis 1:27 , which establishes the inherent dignity and worth of every human being as the non-negotiable foundation for technology policy.
The briefing calls for concrete federal and state laws to curb specific, damaging misuses of AI, most notably the creation and distribution of non-consensual explicit deepfakes.
It rejects technological determinism, emphasizing that AI is a tool and that humans remain morally accountable for how it is built, deployed, and used.
The framework advocates for a balanced governance model that establishes federal standards while preserving state-level regulatory authority to address local needs and foster responsible innovation.
The central goal is to ensure that AI is developed and used in ways that serve human flourishing and protect people from digital exploitation and dehumanization.
What is the NAE's biblical framework for AI policy?
The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has issued a public policy briefing titled "Why Artificial Intelligence Policy Matters for Believers" that provides a theological and ethical foundation for Christians engaging with AI legislation. It isn't a technical document. It’s a moral one.
The framework’s purpose is to equip believers, ministry leaders, and policymakers to think biblically about the rules we should put around this powerful technology. It argues that our starting point for any law concerning AI must be the doctrine that human beings are created in the image of God. This principle, the Imago Dei , gives every person a unique dignity that technology must respect and protect.
As a software builder, I see this as an essential contribution. Technical conversations can quickly get lost in capabilities, efficiency, and market advantages. The NAE brings the discussion back to the most important question: How does this technology affect the people God created and loves? Their framework gives us a yardstick to measure new laws against, ensuring we prioritize human worth over machine function.
Why does the Imago Dei matter for AI regulation?
The Imago Dei , or the image of God, is the theological center of the NAE's entire argument. It matters for AI regulation because it establishes that human value is inherent and God-given, not based on utility, intelligence, or productivity. Technology that degrades, exploits, or deceives people is an affront to the One in whose image they are made.
The foundation is Genesis 1:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:27-28 (KJV)
This passage tells us that our identity isn't something we earn; it's something we are given. AI systems, however advanced, do not share this status. They are tools. Powerful tools, but still tools. The NAE framework insists that our laws must reflect this distinction. An algorithm that assigns a credit score, recommends a prison sentence, or generates a photorealistic image of a person must operate within boundaries that honor the subject’s God-given dignity. Without this foundation, policy debates risk treating people as mere data points or obstacles to efficiency.
This biblical truth provides an unshakeable reason to protect every person, especially the vulnerable, from technological harm. It's the ultimate answer to the question, "Why should we care?" We care because we are stewarding a world filled with God's image-bearers. This is a core principle of any robust Christian ethical framework for AI .
What specific harms does the NAE want to address?
The NAE framework isn't just theoretical; it calls for laws to address specific, tangible harms. The most prominent example cited in their briefing is the proliferation of non-consensual explicit deepfakes . A deepfake is a synthetic image or video created by AI, where a person's likeness is convincingly replaced with someone else's.
While the technology can be used for entertainment, it is also a powerful tool for harassment, extortion, and disinformation. The NAE rightly identifies the creation of non-consensual explicit material as a profound violation of human dignity. According to the briefing , this form of digital exploitation is a direct attack on an individual's personhood and bodily autonomy, made in the image of God.
Beyond this specific example, the principles apply to other algorithmic harms. This includes:
Algorithmic Bias: Systems trained on flawed data can perpetuate and amplify existing societal biases in areas like hiring, housing, and criminal justice, denying people opportunities based on their race, gender, or background.Digital Deception: AI can be used to create sophisticated scams, impersonate trusted individuals, and spread disinformation on a massive scale, undermining truth and social trust.Erosion of Agency: Over-reliance on AI for decision-making can diminish human responsibility and judgment, creating a world where we unthinkingly follow algorithmic recommendations without moral reflection. Protecting this capacity for choice is key to preserving our relational agency .
The NAE's focus on deepfakes is strategic. It’s a clear and undeniable harm that demonstrates why a purely hands-off approach to AI governance is insufficient. We need laws with teeth to protect real people from real digital violence.
How does the NAE view the role of government in AI?
The NAE advocates for a proactive and layered approach to governance, arguing that both federal and state governments have a role to play in establishing safeguards for AI. This is not a call for stifling innovation but for responsible stewardship.
The briefing affirms the need for federal guardrails to set a baseline of protection for all citizens. This is particularly important for issues that cross state lines, like data privacy and the spread of online deepfakes. A national standard ensures that a person’s dignity is not more protected in California than it is in Texas.
At the same time, the NAE supports the preservation of state-level regulatory authority . This allows individual states to address specific local concerns and to experiment with policy solutions that might eventually inform federal law. This balanced model, known as federalism, allows for both consistency and adaptability in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
The table below contrasts the NAE's dignity-centered approach with a more simplistic, technology-first perspective.
Feature · Dignity-Centered AI Policy (NAE Framework) · Technology-First AI Policy (Hypothetical)
Core Principle · Human beings have inherent worth (Imago Dei ). · Technology is neutral; progress is the primary goal.
View of Humanity · People are moral agents to be protected. · People are users or data sources to be optimized.
Goal of Regulation · Prevent harm, promote flourishing, ensure accountability. · Maximize innovation, remove friction, promote economic growth.
Stance on Harm · Proactively identifies and legislates against violations like deepfakes. · Reacts to harms only after they become widespread market failures.
This approach isn't anti-technology. It's pro-human. It recognizes that good rules create the stability and trust necessary for responsible companies to build beneficial tools. Unregulated spaces, by contrast, often become dominated by the worst actors, poisoning the well for everyone.
A Resource for Christian Policy Engagement
For Christian citizens, pastors, and policymakers, the NAE's framework provides a clear, biblically-grounded resource for public advocacy. It translates the timeless truth of Genesis 1 into the specific language of modern technology policy. This data is link-worthy for legal scholars, ministry networks, and advocates engaging with legislative bodies on AI ethics.
How to use this data
You can use the following table to quickly reference the NAE's core policy principles when writing to an elected official, preparing a sermon on technology, or discussing AI with your community. It connects the theological foundation to the practical legislative ask.
Policy Principle · Biblical Rationale (Genesis 1:27) · Specific Legislative Application · Source
Protect Human Dignity · All people are created in God’s image and therefore possess inherent worth. · Laws must prioritize the protection of individuals from digital harm and exploitation. · NAE AI Briefing
Curb Malicious Use · Stewardship requires restraining evil and protecting the vulnerable. · Enact clear federal and state laws criminalizing the creation and spread of non-consensual explicit deepfakes. · NAE AI Briefing
Ensure Human Accountability · Humans are moral agents responsible for their creations and actions. · Technology creators and deployers must be held responsible for the foreseeable impacts of their systems. · NAE AI Briefing
Balance Governance · God ordains governing authorities at different levels for order and justice (Romans 13). · Support a dual framework of federal standards and preserved state-level regulatory authority. · NAE AI Briefing
What does "human accountability" mean for AI creators and users?
Human accountability means we can't blame the algorithm. The NAE framework insists that technology is not morally neutral; it is a product of human choices and values. Therefore, the people who build, sell, and use AI remain responsible for its consequences.
For creators and developers , this means they have a moral obligation to anticipate and mitigate potential harms. As someone who builds software, I know this is challenging but not impossible. It involves building diverse teams, testing for bias, implementing safety filters, and being transparent about a model’s limitations. Accountability means not shipping a product you know can be easily used to hurt people and then claiming surprise when it happens.
For users , accountability means using these tools with wisdom and love for our neighbors. It means refusing to share harmful deepfakes, questioning algorithmic recommendations that seem unfair, and remembering that behind every profile picture and data point is a person made in God's image. We are called to be discerning consumers, not passive recipients, of technology.
Ultimately, accountability points back to the a theological framework for technology : we are sub-creators, using the gifts God has given us. But our creations remain subject to His moral law. We will give an account for what we build and how we use it.
How can Christians use this framework in public life?
This framework is a call to action. It’s a tool for faithful Christian engagement in the public square. Here are a few practical ways to use it:
Educate Your Church: Pastors and small group leaders can use the NAE's briefing to start conversations about technology and faith. Help your congregation think biblically about the tools they use every day.Contact Your Representatives: When AI-related bills are debated in your state legislature or in Congress, write or call your elected officials. Use the language of this framework. Tell them you are a Christian who believes laws must be built on the foundation of human dignity.Advocate for a Legislative Floor, Not a Ceiling: Encourage policies that set a minimum standard of safety and accountability (a floor) while allowing for innovation that builds upon it. The goal is to prevent the worst abuses without chilling beneficial progress.Support Responsible Technology: As consumers and investors, we can support companies that prioritize ethical design and human well-being. Ask hard questions about their safety policies and transparency.
Below is a simple checklist based on the NAE framework that you can use as a guide when evaluating proposed AI legislation.
A Legislative Checklist for AI Policy
[ ] Dignity Foundation: Does the bill explicitly recognize or implicitly protect the inherent dignity and rights of individuals?
[ ] Specific Harms Addressed: Does it contain specific provisions against clear harms like non-consensual deepfakes?
[ ] Accountability Mechanism: Does it clarify who is responsible when an AI system causes harm—the developer, the deployer, or the user?
[ ] Transparency Requirement: Does it require a degree of transparency so that people know when they are interacting with an AI and how their data is being used?
[ ] Redress for Victims: Does it provide a clear path for individuals who have been harmed by an AI system to seek justice?
[ ] Balanced Governance: Does it respect the roles of both federal and state authorities?
Our faith isn't meant to be private. It has public implications. The NAE has provided a powerful resource for us to speak with a clear, unified, and biblically-grounded voice in one of the most important policy debates of our time.
Understanding the deep biblical roots of human dignity is foundational. If you want to explore passages like Genesis 1:27 and what they mean for our lives in a technological world, you can start a conversation on FaithGPT.io to study Scripture's teaching on the image of God.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NAE oppose AI development?
No. The NAE framework does not oppose AI development. Instead, it calls for responsible development guided by ethical and biblical principles, advocating for safeguards that prevent misuse and promote human flourishing.
What is a "deepfake"?
A deepfake is a term for synthetic media where a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else's likeness. While it can be used for creative purposes, it is often used maliciously to create non-consensual pornography, spread political disinformation, or commit fraud.
Why is state-level regulation important in addition to federal laws?
State-level regulation is important because it allows governments to address unique local needs and to act as laboratories for policy innovation. States can often move more quickly than the federal government to address emerging harms, and their successes can provide models for future national legislation.
How does this framework relate to other Christian statements on AI?
This framework aligns closely with other major Christian statements on AI, such as those from the Vatican, which also emphasize human dignity, ethics, and the common good. It contributes a distinctly evangelical voice rooted in the authority of Scripture to a global conversation.
Is AI mentioned in the Bible?
No, artificial intelligence is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the Bible provides timeless principles about human nature, stewardship, wisdom, truth, and justice that are directly applicable to how we should govern and use powerful new technologies like AI.
What can my church do about this issue?
Your church can play a vital role by educating its members, praying for policymakers, and fostering discussions about faithful technology use. Pastors can preach on the Imago Dei in a digital age, and church leaders can use resources like the NAE briefing to help their congregations engage thoughtfully with these critical public issues.
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