Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property

Mandate

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention authorize and create a Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in The Episcopal Church, composed of 12 members which shall include 1 bishop and may include priests, deacons, lay persons, seminary faculty or staff, representatives from Episcopal schools, and others with expertise in a variety of disciplines especially artificial intelligence (AI), liturgy, and ethics; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force be mandated with considering the relationship of The Episcopal Church with generative AI, including but not limited to:

The use of generative AI in writing and preparing sermons and liturgies;
The use of generative AI in hiring;
The use of generative AI in writing theological and academic works;
The use and potential misuse of The Episcopal Church’s copyrighted materials; and
Investigation of best practices with regard to generative AI from various sources, including other Christian denominations and nonprofit organizations;

And be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force include guidelines for The Episcopal Church for the use of generative AI, including beneficial and detrimental uses, in its report; and be it further

Resolved, That the membership of this task force be appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force begin its work no later than January 1, 2025, with the Task Force concluding its work at the conclusion of the 82nd General Convention, unless its mandate is extended by the 82nd Convention; and be it further

and-

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention authorize the establishment of a Task Force for Reviewing Intellectual Property of the Church, composed of 10 people as follows: 2 Bishops, 2 Priests, 2 Deacons, and 4 Lay Persons, to complete a comprehensive review of the canons of the church as they pertain to matters of Intellectual Property and recommend any changes that are needed to modernize the canons based on changes in practice and law since the last changes in the Intellectual Property canons; and be it further

Resolved, That the Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer, the Chief Legal Officer of The Episcopal Church, the Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, and the Chancellor to the President of the House of Deputies should serve ex officio; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force will look specifically at canon II.3.6.b as to the meaning of “copyright shall be relinquished”; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force offer best practices for the church for streaming and digital evangelism based on updated copyright and trademark laws; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force offer a first draft of a comprehensive Branding and Marking guidance document for Interim Bodies of General Convention to use when creating deliverables on behalf of the General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force submit a report to the 82nd General Convention summarizing their recommendations, identifying best practices, submitting any relevant resolutions to the 82nd General Convention, and offering any amendments to the constitution and canons as determined by the task force’s work.