Digital connection must never replace divine connection.

Nor human connection.

So says apostle Gerrit W. Gong of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a newly released YouTube video about the expanding world of artificial intelligence.

Titled “Faith, Dignity and Human Flourishing: Hearing God’s Voice in an Age of Artificial Intelligence,” the video offers an hourlong workshop featuring Gong as he explains the potential spiritual ramifications for increased A.I. usage among members.

“Can artificial intelligence replace God?” he asks. “That question may sound provocative, but in an age when we turn to algorithms for answers, guidance and even comfort, it matters deeply.”

Gong, who has emerged as the Utah-based church’s ecclesiastical point person on artificial intelligence, recounts his recent travels around the world meeting with spiritual leaders of other faiths about their A.I. concerns.

Many of these leaders share a similar consensus about A.I., he says, and while this exploding technology has many valuable uses, it should never replace the important connections that exist in everyday life.

“In our personal lives, please use A.I. for logistics and drafts, but not as a substitute for trusted relationships,” Gong advises. “Set boundaries. If you feel tempted to confide more in a chatbot than in a parent, leader or friend, may I invite you to reach out — today, now — to a real person who knows and loves you.”

Split into six segments, the new video delves into different topics about how to use A.I. to support and not replace individual efforts and endeavors.

Gong emphasizes that A.I. should never come between individuals and deity.

“Artificial intelligence can answer questions,” he says. “But it cannot answer prayers.”

To assist Latter-day Saints in the pursuit of healthy A.I. usage, Gong provides three tips:

• Rely on the Spirit.

• Practice wisdom.

• Choose trusted sources.

In the video, Gong reminds members that A.I., boiled down, is simply math and these algorithms are catered to tell people what they want to hear. This can separate them, he says, from knowing God, themselves and others.

“Please begin by knowing God’s plan for you,” he urges. “You are not a random data point in an unfeeling algorithm.”

Gong encourages members to spend their “best energy” with loved ones and other people.

The apostle delivered a similar message at church-owned Brigham Young University last year.

“As church members, we will not grow spiritually if we let artificial intelligence write our sacrament [meeting] talks or do our seminary homework,” he said in a speech at BYU Education Week. “A.I. cannot replace our individual effort and spiritual preparation as we prepare lessons, prayers or blessings.”