Arlie Coles
@arliecoles.bsky.social
Deep NLP/ASR researcher, linguist, musician, ecclesiological enthusiast, documentation zealot. MSc '20 @mila-quebec.bsky.social. 🇺🇲🇨🇦
Pinned
Arlie Coles
@arliecoles.bsky.social
· Feb 15
For transparency: I am serving on the Task Force for AI & IP whose survey is now going around (please take it!); I am a machine learning researcher myself; and I wrote this piece describing my own position some time ago: ⚓
Teaching a session of a confirmation class tomorrow. Please pray for the confirmands and for me! ⚓
February 11, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Teaching a session of a confirmation class tomorrow. Please pray for the confirmands and for me! ⚓
Reposted by Arlie Coles
This is severely muddied by the fact that we make them emit text in the first person as though there’s a guy there and decided the best interface for them is a chat bot. This didn’t have to be the case and I believe it severely warps our understanding of what this technology is.
January 31, 2026 at 8:17 PM
This is severely muddied by the fact that we make them emit text in the first person as though there’s a guy there and decided the best interface for them is a chat bot. This didn’t have to be the case and I believe it severely warps our understanding of what this technology is.
Reposted by Arlie Coles
I think many people see LLMs as a step along a teleological path to the kind of “powerful AI” that’s been foretold in fiction for decades, and the empirical evidence if you scrutinize it carefully suggests something different and very unintuitive.
January 31, 2026 at 8:11 PM
I think many people see LLMs as a step along a teleological path to the kind of “powerful AI” that’s been foretold in fiction for decades, and the empirical evidence if you scrutinize it carefully suggests something different and very unintuitive.
Watch this space for new announcements of new stuff coming on Episcopal Chant somewhat soon. Not sure how much we've plugged here, but for those gearing up for any sort of chant planning:
episcopalchant.com
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episcopalchant.com
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Episcopal Chant: A Liturgical Chant Database
Interactive and downloadable chant settings of liturgical texts approved for use in The Episcopal Church.
episcopalchant.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Watch this space for new announcements of new stuff coming on Episcopal Chant somewhat soon. Not sure how much we've plugged here, but for those gearing up for any sort of chant planning:
episcopalchant.com
⚓
episcopalchant.com
⚓
I am sponsoring a friend for baptism in two weeks. In your charity, pray for the baptizand, and for me! ⚓
February 1, 2026 at 8:21 PM
I am sponsoring a friend for baptism in two weeks. In your charity, pray for the baptizand, and for me! ⚓
Tomorrow! See you there!
Hi Narthex - I am giving an EPN webinar on Thursday for the AI subcommittee of the Task Force for AI & IP. It will be a plain-language introduction to how modern AI works, aiming to equip you to apply appropriate skepticism & tell good ideas from bad. I know the topic is hot for many. Do come! ⚓
January 29, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Tomorrow! See you there!
Hi Narthex - I am giving an EPN webinar on Thursday for the AI subcommittee of the Task Force for AI & IP. It will be a plain-language introduction to how modern AI works, aiming to equip you to apply appropriate skepticism & tell good ideas from bad. I know the topic is hot for many. Do come! ⚓
January 27, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Hi Narthex - I am giving an EPN webinar on Thursday for the AI subcommittee of the Task Force for AI & IP. It will be a plain-language introduction to how modern AI works, aiming to equip you to apply appropriate skepticism & tell good ideas from bad. I know the topic is hot for many. Do come! ⚓
Reposted by Arlie Coles
We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless, but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us,
January 22, 2026 at 1:50 AM
We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless, but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us,
I said to @dljohnston.bsky.social before recording that if at any time I sounded like one of those crazy yarn-wall conspiracy people while explaining, just stop me! Very thankful to get to talk with him on All Things Necessary. Maybe of interest for all who want to know about modern TEC history! ⚓
Did the Episcopal Church target Bishop Duncan because of his conservative views? I'm excited to share this episode with you all. My guest, Arlie Coles (@arliecoles.bsky.social), brought excellent research and lays out this story clearly and succinctly. ⚓
youtu.be/cJKo_Q1FhIo
youtu.be/cJKo_Q1FhIo
Does TEC target conservatives? | Part 1: The Deposition of Bishop Bob Duncan
YouTube video by All Things Necessary
youtu.be
January 22, 2026 at 1:25 AM
I said to @dljohnston.bsky.social before recording that if at any time I sounded like one of those crazy yarn-wall conspiracy people while explaining, just stop me! Very thankful to get to talk with him on All Things Necessary. Maybe of interest for all who want to know about modern TEC history! ⚓
Help me make good on desire to post here more! I have been writing aggressively but do not wish to deluge the feed...
January 7, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Help me make good on desire to post here more! I have been writing aggressively but do not wish to deluge the feed...
Reposted by Arlie Coles
27th December is the feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist who is depicted here with his symbol.
#StJohn
BL Egerton 608; the Four Gospels; 11th century; Echternach; f.133v
#StJohn
BL Egerton 608; the Four Gospels; 11th century; Echternach; f.133v
December 27, 2025 at 6:55 PM
27th December is the feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist who is depicted here with his symbol.
#StJohn
BL Egerton 608; the Four Gospels; 11th century; Echternach; f.133v
#StJohn
BL Egerton 608; the Four Gospels; 11th century; Echternach; f.133v
Early New Year's resolution to post here more?? I am very bad at keeping up with more than one spot, but miss you all!
December 27, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Early New Year's resolution to post here more?? I am very bad at keeping up with more than one spot, but miss you all!
Just to follow up here since I know people are interested in the topic: the meeting was extraordinarily fruitful, and I look forward to getting things from the committee to you all and to GC over the next year. Thanks to all for your prayers! ⚓
Episcopalians: your Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property is meeting in person this week! Keep us in your prayers. ⚓
November 30, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Just to follow up here since I know people are interested in the topic: the meeting was extraordinarily fruitful, and I look forward to getting things from the committee to you all and to GC over the next year. Thanks to all for your prayers! ⚓
Reposted by Arlie Coles
Where should the church say, “Thus far and no further”? Few are truly equipped to assess the deadlock, but as a speech and language AI researcher and a churchwoman, I will attempt the task.
@arliecoles.bsky.social
www.plough.com/en/topics/li...
@arliecoles.bsky.social
www.plough.com/en/topics/li...
ChatGPT Goes to Church
Arlie Coles asks if large language models should write sermons and prayers.
www.plough.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Where should the church say, “Thus far and no further”? Few are truly equipped to assess the deadlock, but as a speech and language AI researcher and a churchwoman, I will attempt the task.
@arliecoles.bsky.social
www.plough.com/en/topics/li...
@arliecoles.bsky.social
www.plough.com/en/topics/li...
Episcopalians: your Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property is meeting in person this week! Keep us in your prayers. ⚓
November 16, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Episcopalians: your Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property is meeting in person this week! Keep us in your prayers. ⚓
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social: ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood is accused of making sexual advances toward a staff member at his South Carolina church, as well as financial impropriety, plagiarism, and bullying.
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
ACNA Primate Faces Misconduct Charges - The Living Church
Archbishop Steve Wood is accused of making sexual advances toward a staff member at his South Carolina church, as well as financial impropriety, plagiarism, and bullying.
livingchurch.org
October 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social: ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood is accused of making sexual advances toward a staff member at his South Carolina church, as well as financial impropriety, plagiarism, and bullying.
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
Ecclesiastical and other news getting rough? Do you need a laugh? You do? I know you do. Give the cautionary tale of poor Canon Babbit a read at @earthandaltarmag.com and then make solid and dutiful plans to say your office! ⚓
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/hbkwnd...
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/hbkwnd...
THE REV. CANON ÆTHELSTAN BABBIT — Earth and Altar
The following is a selection from Cautionary Tales for Careful Clerics , an original volume of humorous poetry recently released by St. Lazarus Press , the publishing arm of the Church of St. Jo...
earthandaltarmag.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Ecclesiastical and other news getting rough? Do you need a laugh? You do? I know you do. Give the cautionary tale of poor Canon Babbit a read at @earthandaltarmag.com and then make solid and dutiful plans to say your office! ⚓
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/hbkwnd...
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/hbkwnd...
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social : Bishop Derek Jones’ lawyers describe the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces & Chaplaincy as a business offering chaplaincy endorsements and allege the ACNA owes millions for trademark infringement and unfair competition.
livingchurch.org/news/inhibit...
livingchurch.org/news/inhibit...
Inhibited Bishop Sues ACNA - The Living Church
Bishop Derek Jones’ lawyers describe the Jurisdiction of Armed Forces as a business selling chaplaincy endorsements and allege the ACNA owes millions for trademark infringement and unfair competition.
livingchurch.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:34 PM
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social : Bishop Derek Jones’ lawyers describe the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces & Chaplaincy as a business offering chaplaincy endorsements and allege the ACNA owes millions for trademark infringement and unfair competition.
livingchurch.org/news/inhibit...
livingchurch.org/news/inhibit...
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social: The ACNA's Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy has attempted to secede from that church as its bishop, the Rt. Rev Derek Jones, faces allegations of misconduct.
livingchurch.org/news/acna-in...
livingchurch.org/news/acna-in...
ACNA Inhibits its Chaplaincy Bishop - The Living Church
The Anglican Church in North America’s Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy has attempted to secede from that church as its bishop faces allegations of misconduct.
livingchurch.org
September 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social: The ACNA's Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy has attempted to secede from that church as its bishop, the Rt. Rev Derek Jones, faces allegations of misconduct.
livingchurch.org/news/acna-in...
livingchurch.org/news/acna-in...
This book is now out! If you are a cleric or love a cleric, and you need a laugh (and it's clear we all do), and you'd like to support Canadian ecclesiastical art, then consider picking it up! ⚓
Shameless plug for an upcoming book from St. Lazarus Press! Coming August 26: CAUTIONARY TALES FOR CAREFUL CLERICS, a new volume of humorous poetry that warns of clerical errors and their often lethal, always hilarious consequences. If you like Mascall & Belloc, you'll like this. ⚓
August 27, 2025 at 2:40 PM
This book is now out! If you are a cleric or love a cleric, and you need a laugh (and it's clear we all do), and you'd like to support Canadian ecclesiastical art, then consider picking it up! ⚓
Shameless plug for an upcoming book from St. Lazarus Press! Coming August 26: CAUTIONARY TALES FOR CAREFUL CLERICS, a new volume of humorous poetry that warns of clerical errors and their often lethal, always hilarious consequences. If you like Mascall & Belloc, you'll like this. ⚓
August 8, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Shameless plug for an upcoming book from St. Lazarus Press! Coming August 26: CAUTIONARY TALES FOR CAREFUL CLERICS, a new volume of humorous poetry that warns of clerical errors and their often lethal, always hilarious consequences. If you like Mascall & Belloc, you'll like this. ⚓
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social : Troubled by an accusation of procedural misconduct, ACNA Bp. Stewart Ruch's closed trial has had three chief prosecutors in as many weeks. ⚓
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
Chaotic Ruch Trial on Hold - The Living Church
Troubled by an accusation of procedural misconduct, the ACNA bishop’s closed trial has had three chief prosecutors in as many weeks.
livingchurch.org
August 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social : Troubled by an accusation of procedural misconduct, ACNA Bp. Stewart Ruch's closed trial has had three chief prosecutors in as many weeks. ⚓
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
In your charity, please pray for a friend's family member who is sick, in pain, and will likely reach the end in the next few days. ⚓
August 1, 2025 at 9:45 PM
In your charity, please pray for a friend's family member who is sick, in pain, and will likely reach the end in the next few days. ⚓
Each time a new set of AI stories begin to circulate: pray for us and pray again! ⚓
Episcopalians: Your Task Force on AI & IP continues to work! Please keep on praying for us. ⚓
July 24, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Each time a new set of AI stories begin to circulate: pray for us and pray again! ⚓
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social: The trial of ACNA Bp. Stewart Ruch has been halted by the sudden resignation of its prosecutor after a member of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop allegedly improperly questioned a prosecution's witness for over an hour.
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
Ruch Trial Halted by Prosecutor's Resignation - The Living Church
Prosecutor Alan Runyan said the trial was "irreparably tainted" after a member of the court improperly questioned a witness for more than an hour.
livingchurch.org
July 23, 2025 at 12:50 AM
New for @livingchurch.bsky.social: The trial of ACNA Bp. Stewart Ruch has been halted by the sudden resignation of its prosecutor after a member of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop allegedly improperly questioned a prosecution's witness for over an hour.
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...