Newsletter – April 2024
AudioVerse: Blending Ministry with Innovation
Discover AudioVerse’s groundbreaking AI initiatives, transforming the way we connect with sermons and scripture.
Since its inception in 2005, AudioVerse has been focused on innovation, reshaping the way people access sermons and spiritual content. Created by two visionary medical students, Tim Arakawa and Curtis Farnham, AudioVerse was born at the merger of technology and ministry, envisioned as a platform that would transcend conventional boundaries and reach audiences worldwide.
Nearly two decades later, AudioVerse stands as a testament to the two men’s pioneering spirit and their relentless commitment to harnessing emerging technologies for the greater good. Alistair Huong, executive director of AudioVerse, encapsulates their ethos, stating, “Our mission has always been to make sound doctrine accessible to all, regardless of geographical location or language barriers.”
AI Expands AudioVerse’s Reach
AudioVerse’s ongoing commitment to technological breakthroughs continues with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), which is opening new doors and expanding access to the ministry’s broad library of content. Through new AI-driven innovations, AudioVerse is breaking down barriers to spiritual enlightenment on a global scale.
“One of our most exciting ventures is a new AudioVerse audio Bible,” shares Huong. “Our AI-powered audio Bible will revolutionize the way people engage with scripture.”
To that end, AudioVerse is using AI voice technology to craft an audio Bible that will be fully owned by AudioVerse. (Click here to listen to a sample passage.) This means they won’t have to worry about expensive and restrictive copyrights and usage fees. They also plan to use AI to connect Bible passages with sermon content. This will allow them to annotate the audio Bible so that it acts like a living concordance with links to relevant sermon snippets from speakers like Mark Finley or John Bradshaw.
Another project they are exploring will employ AI to translate sermon content from the AudioVerse library into other languages. Not only will listeners hear a sermon in their native tongue, but they’ll also hear it in the original speaker’s “voice” with the same tone and personality.
Huong emphasizes, “While it’s fairly easy to have AI translate content to other languages, for us it’s paramount to use AI responsibly. We want to ensure that human guardrails and quality control processes are in place to make sure that our content remains true to Adventist core beliefs and accurate to the source materials.”
AI Customizes the User Experience
The impact of AI brings other innovations as well. With sophisticated data analysis and machine learning, AudioVerse is working to deliver a personalized spiritual experience tailored to its users’ individual needs.
“AI is allowing us to curate content that resonates with each user’s unique spiritual journey,” Huong elaborates. “Whether it’s through personalized sermon recommendations or AI-driven summarization tools, we’re working to empower individuals to deepen their connection with faith in meaningful ways.”
As AudioVerse continues its technological pilgrimage, Huong emphasizes the ministry’s unwavering commitment to innovation and inspiration. “We’re constantly exploring new frontiers in AI and beyond, seeking to enhance accessibility and personalization in spiritual enrichment.”
To learn how you can support this cutting-edge ministry, as well as how to access the free AudioVerse library of sermons and materials to benefit your spiritual journey, visit audioverse.org.
Alistair Huong serves as the executive director of AudioVerse and is owner and financial planner at AdventEdge Financial, LLC. He resides in Collegedale, TN, with his wife Deborah. They have two daughters, Leilani and Liana. He was interviewed for this article by Mark Bond, communication director for ASI.
