Study of 88 Editorials Finds Most Christian College Students Wary of AI
Updated
Updated · calvin.edu · Jul 22
Study of 88 Editorials Finds Most Christian College Students Wary of AI
3 articles · Updated · calvin.edu · Jul 22
Summary
More than half of 88 student-written editorials from 27 Christian colleges in five Midwestern states expressed concern about AI, while less than a third took an optimistic view.
David Lafe and professor Katie Good built the study from campus newspaper opinion sections rather than surveys, using AI-assisted searches and manual verification to trace how students were already debating the technology.
Students' biggest concerns centered on AI weakening critical thinking, writing and academic integrity, even as supporters argued it should be learned and used ethically as a tool.
Fewer than 10% of the pieces used explicitly Christian theological language, though many still said human judgment, compassion, creativity and dignity remain beyond machines.
The Calvin University project will feed into a Fall 2026 AI conference presentation and a planned peer-reviewed journal submission as researchers consider expanding the work beyond the Midwest.