Artificial intelligence use among more than 2,300 middle-school students is increasing rapidly—and any AI use is associated with higher social anxiety and depressive symptoms, according to a paper, currently under review, from researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The more often the students use AI, the more anxious and lonely they become. (Jargon, The Wall Street Journal)
Read MoreThe messages on Resurrection Lutheran Church’s sign range from witty to practical to profound. It’s an effort to inspire and attract drivers and passersby that’s uniquely popular in churches across America, the quintessential land of open roads and advertisements. “This is about people saying, ‘this makes a difference to me,’ and … sensing they’re loved by God,” says Heather Hultgren, who’s in charge of Resurrection’s daily sign changes. (Dell’Orto, AP News)
Read MoreToday, Match relaunched Upward, formerly a Christian dating app but now a home for anybody who wants to settle down—the old-fashioned way. “This is modern courtship in action,” the company’s press release reads. “Women are clear about their standards, men pursue with purpose, and both move toward marriage together.” (Hill, The Atlantic)
Read MoreIpsos polled 1,011 U.S. adults from Aug. 7 through Aug. 9 of this year. Overall, 61% of respondents said they have used an artificial intelligence tool, such as Google Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude, for any purpose. The poll found that 11% of AI users have sought spiritual guidance from artificial intelligence, while 13% have used the technology to generate prayers, and 15% say they have used it to study scripture. (DeRose, NPR)
Read MoreHe spoke on campus in advance of the Mississippi-Florida game at Florida Field on Saturday. “The allegations are extremely, extremely serious, and it’s something that we take very serious,” Tebow said. “So, for us, we’re having our team do an investigation, but also pausing our relationship ‘til we can learn more about the facts to be able to understand more.” (Long, AP News)
Read MoreAccording to our new report, published today by the Institute for Family Studies, no group of Americans seems to be having more sex—and more satisfying sex—than married men and women who regularly attend a place of worship. (This group is made up mostly of Christians, but also includes Jews and Muslims.) (Wilcox & Bailey, The Atlantic)
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