Former Intel CEO builds AI chatbots for 300K churches with $164M startup

Former Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger is working to inject Christian values into Silicon Valley through his role as executive chairman and head of technology at Gloo, a company building AI chatbots and assistants for religious organizations. The initiative reflects a broader rightward shift in Silicon Valley and aligns with the White House’s embrace of Christian nationalism, positioning faith-based AI as an emerging market within the tech industry.

What you should know: Gloo has raised $164 million in total funding to develop AI products that help religious organizations connect with congregations and streamline operations.

• The platform serves more than 300,000 churches and 150,000 parachurch ministries and faith-based nonprofits, according to its website.
• The company’s AI tools help faith-based organizations reach potential new members and automate administrative work.

Gelsinger’s mission: The former Intel CEO has explicitly connected his technology work to his religious beliefs and broader spiritual goals.

• “My life mission has been [to] work on a piece of technology that would improve the quality of life of every human on the planet and hasten the coming of Christ’s return,” Gelsinger told The Guardian.

Political traction: The technology has gained attention among conservative lawmakers and political circles.

• Some lawmakers have expressed interest in using Gloo’s products at their own churches, The Guardian reported.
• The company’s popularity coincides with a rightward shift in Silicon Valley and the current administration’s embrace of Christian nationalism.

The big picture: Gelsinger’s work at Gloo represents a convergence of artificial intelligence technology with religious mission work, tapping into a significant market of faith-based organizations seeking digital transformation tools. This development illustrates how AI is being deployed across diverse sectors, including religious communities that represent substantial user bases and administrative needs.