World Council of Churches 81d ago

“We affirm that communication is for community building and communication is for life.” – Vincent Rajkumar AI is leaving the Grassroots behind: Vincent Rajkumar, representing the Asian region of the World Association for Christian Communication, opens with a stark reality: 40% of people across Asia remain unreachable by digital communication, due to poor network infrastructure, unaffordable devices, and inaccessible payment systems. While the rest of the world debates AI's potential, vast grassroots populations are effectively "digital refugees." What communication does reach these communities is largely controlled by corporations pursuing profit or by governments issuing managed, top-down messaging — neither of which genuinely serves ordinary people's lives. Against this backdrop, Vincent frames the AI boom as a new form of colonialism: built on data shaped by a narrow elite, disconnected from grassroots realities, threatening livelihoods through unemployment, and eroding the identity and critical thinking of marginalised communities. His remedy is people-centred, life-enhancing communication that prioritises those at the margins. ------- The WCC is a worldwide fellowship of churches seeking unity in common witness and Christian service. For more information go to https://www.oikoumene.org​ Follow WCC on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldcouncilofchurches Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldcouncilofchurches Twitter: https://twitter.com/oikoumene​