Faith, AI, and Human Connection: A Conversation on Technology and the Church

About your host: Terry Poplava serves as General Manager of ACST Catholic, where he brings extensive experience in supporting Catholic parishes and dioceses. With a background in executive roles at Our Sunday Visitor and Catholic Leadership Institute, Terry has worked across the U.S. helping churches with planning, stewardship, and engagement efforts. He has also spoken nationally and in the media on a wide range of topics, from the epidemic of loneliness to the importance of stewardship in the Church. Terry’s passion for equipping ministries to thrive is at the heart of his current focus on serving the Catholic Church through ACS Technologies.

Chris Kehayias serves as the SVP of AI Adoption and Innovation at ACS Technologies, where he leads the charge in developing next-generation technology solutions for churches, with a particular focus on integrating artificial intelligence into ministry applications. A lifelong technology enthusiast, Chris brings over two decades of experience in church technology and innovation to his role.

Previously, as CEO of Think Ministry, Inc., Chris led the development and growth of MinistryPlatform, a comprehensive church management platform that transformed how churches handle their operations, communications, and community engagement. Under his leadership, MinistryPlatform became a trusted solution for churches seeking to modernize their ministry through technology.

Brett Robinson serves as the Associate Director for Outreach and Associate Professor of the Practice at the McGrath Institute for Church Life. In this role, he oversees outreach efforts for the institute while doing research on media and Church history. Brett is the founder of the Church Communications Ecology Program at Notre Dame, a program for Church leaders to engage more deeply with the challenges and opportunities created by the rise of digital technology and artificial intelligence.

Brett teaches courses on the philosophy of technology, religion and media history. He is the author of two books and numerous essays on religion, media and culture. His essays have appeared in Wired, Church Life Journal and Catholic News Service. Brett has also served as a producer on three documentary films that have aired on EWTN and in theaters nationwide. Brett is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Georgia.