The founder and CEO of YouVersion has described the influence of their Bible app as “unimaginable” as it celebrates its billionth download less than 20 years since its inception.
The rapid development of AI has prompted questions around how far technology should go when it comes to matters of faith. However, Bobby Gruenewald believes the news that the world’s most popular Bible app is celebrating its billionth download worldwide shows the positive potential of modern technology for gospel opportunities.
The service initially launched as a website and then as an app over 2007 and 2008, and has grown exponentially since then, now offering access to the Bible in over 2,300 languages and being opened a billion times every 39 days. It has also enjoyed an increase of 18% in daily usage this year, and Gruenewald told en of how they are seeing “unprecedented hunger for Scripture right now”, in both print and digital form.
He said: “Print Bible sales are up, especially among Gen Z, and we’re seeing record engagement globally. I believe this is due, in part, to this era of AI-generated content. People are craving something authentic and trustworthy, and the Bible stands alone as a text that’s been carefully preserved across centuries … The Bible is an antidote to our current moment of uncertainty about what’s real.”
Alongside this, other AI-related religious material has enjoyed an increasing influence, including apps which aid in the production of sermons, alongside chatbot apps which claim to allow users to mimic a conversation with Bible characters, including Jesus Christ.
Gruenewald stressed that the YouVersion team only embrace AI “where it makes sense” and are careful to ensure it does not overstep the mark: “As we think about AI’s role in spiritual guidance, we’re carefully considering the practical implications for community safety, Biblical accuracy, and a clear theological framework.”
“I believe AI has tremendous potential in faith technology, but we also see a responsibility to work toward solutions that set a very high standard.”
