Southwest

Texas church experiments with AI-generated service, uses ChatGPT for worship, sermon, and original song

Published

2 weeks ago

September 19, 2023

With artificial intelligence seemingly infiltrating every facet of our lives, one church decided to experiment with the technology for one of its services last week.

The Violet Crown City Church, located in Austin, held an AI-generated service on Sunday, describing the experiment as “uncharted territory.”

“This Sunday we’re entering somewhat uncharted territory by letting ChatGPT create the order of worship, prayers, sermon, liturgy, and even an original song for our 10 a.m. service,” the church wrote on its official Facebook page.

ChatGPT logo and AI Artificial Intelligence words are seen in this illustration taken, May 4, 2023. ( Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)

“The purpose is to invite us to consider the nature of truth and challenge our assumptions about what God can make sacred and inspired.”

The church acknowledged such an experiment would be easy to write off, but encouraged its members to keep an open mind.

“[W]hy not attend instead and experience it for yourself?” the church said, clarifying that this would be a “one-time experiment and not something we’ll likely do again.”

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The church assuaged any worries that “Skynet” – a reference to the fictional AI system in the Terminator franchise – had taken control of the church.

One church attendee told KXAN he was able to worship, but the service ultimately lacked the human touch.

“I’m not sure that AI can actually express the emotions of love and kindness and empathy,” Chambers said. “I think that we must practice love and express that. Not only feel it, but we must express it.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Violet Crown City Church for further comment.

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.

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Southwest

Northern Arizona University building med school to help combat doctor shortage

Published

3 hours ago

September 30, 2023

Press Room

Northern Arizona University plans to build a new medical school as part of a greater effort to address an ongoing shortage of health care workers in the state, the Arizona Board of Regents announced Friday.

The medical school would be the first in the region and will focus on training aspiring doctors for primary care in rural, underserved and indigenous communities in Arizona.

The university is also proposing pathways for in-state residents who graduate to go on to practice with minimal debt.

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The announcement comes three months after Arizona State University released similar plans for its own medical school. The school will be constructed in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix.

Northern Arizona University will construct a new medical school in Maricopa County. (Fox News)

ASU officials say the medical school will be funded by private investors, philanthropy, public investment and ASU’s own revenue.

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Both schools along with the University of Arizona, are all part of the AZ Healthy Tomorrow initiative. The initiative’s goals include getting Arizona to reach the national average of doctors and nurses per capita and improving health care access for all residents.

University of Arizona officials say the school intends to double the number of doctors graduating from its medical schools and expand its partnership with Banner Health.

The Board of Regents also voted Friday to request $153 million in the fiscal year 2025 state budget toward the initiative.

Gov. Katie Hobbs announced at the same meeting a commitment from the state to invest $11 million in the initiative. There is a critical need for qualified health care professionals as more businesses lure people to move to Arizona, she said.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Former Anaheim City Councilmember found dead at Orange County home

Published

4 hours ago

September 30, 2023

Press Room

Former Anaheim City Councilmember found dead at Orange County home

A former City councilmember in Anaheim has died, the city announced.

According to a release from City of Anaheim, Jordan Brandman was found unresponsive at his home in Anaheim on Friday night by authorities conducting a welfare check.

“It is with sorrow and sadness that we learned of the passing of former Council Member Jordan Brandman,” said Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken. “Any loss of life in our city is a tragedy, and my heart goes out to all who knew Jordan and who are now coping with the news of his passing.”

Jordan Brandman as seen in an undated photo. (City of Anaheim)

A cause of death has not yet been revealed. The Coroner Division of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation.

There were no signs of foul play at Brandman’s home, authorities said.

Brandman serves on the Anaheim City Council from 2012 to 2016. He was elected again to the City Council in 2018 before resigning in Aug. 2021.

He most recently served as the Director of Labor Relations at the Building Industry Association of Southern California in Irvine.

Southwest

Corrections officer accused of smuggling drugs into New Mexico jail

Published

9 hours ago

September 30, 2023

Press Room

A corrections officer with the Bernalillo County jail is now being held there on allegations he brought drugs into the facility, authorities said Friday.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that 19-year-old Grant Haneckow was arrested and booked into the county Metropolitan Detention Center on Thursday.

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He has been charged with bringing contraband into a place of imprisonment and trafficking other controlled substances.

An Albuquerque-area corrections officer has been arrested under suspicion he smuggled Suboxone into the jail he was employed at. (Fox)

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Haneckow was discovered to be carrying 40 sealed Suboxone strips on Wednesday. Suboxone is a prescription medicine used to treat opioid addiction.

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Joseph Trujeque, president of the union representing Metropolitan Detention Center corrections officers, said the union would likely not provide Haneckow with an attorney because it involves him allegedly committing criminal offenses.

Maggie Shepard, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender, confirmed the office will represent Haneckow but a public defender had not been assigned to the case yet.

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