Pat Gelsinger is steering the faith-based technology company Gloo into the AI race. The former chief executive of VMware and Intel returned to the tech world in a new capacity after retiring in late 2024. He now serves as executive chair and head of technology at Gloo, overseeing a portfolio of services designed for churches, faith-based universities, and nonprofits. The company went public last November and reported 238% growth in revenue year-over-year for the most recent quarter, raising its guidance to $195 million for 2026.
Modernizing legacy systems
Gelsinger oversees a platform that provides text and email messaging, data-driven metrics for volunteers, and AI applications to automate administrative tasks. The company offers a values-aligned AI portfolio that modernizes systems and workflows for missional organizations. Chief Product Officer Benjamin Gauthier noted that the ecosystem is diverse but every organization aims for impact. Gloo’s use of AI focuses on ensuring biblical quotations are accessible and accurate. The major models are only 60% to 70% accurate, so Gloo developed technology to take those models and add accurate Bible quotations on top of them, guaranteeing 100% accuracy.
Gloo developed this technology in response to the challenge of integrating faith-based values with general-purpose AI models. OpenAI Group PBC announced plans to develop a mode that Gelsinger criticized. He noted that faith-based organizations need the power of AI without the controversial outputs. Gloo’s AI Studio allows developers to pick any model but places guardrails and systems around it to ensure it is good for the community.
Integrating high-level AI with traditional religious operations reflects a broader trend of digital transformation within the sector. Many religious institutions operate with decades-old infrastructure, but the tools available today offer a way to streamline operations that were previously manual and time-consuming. By automating basic administrative tasks, these organizations can redirect resources toward direct community engagement and mission work.
Practical applications for growth
Gelsinger’s experience running large-scale software companies has proven valuable as he scales Gloo. He has moved swiftly to acquire other companies to bolster the platform. The founders of these smaller companies remain committed to the journey. Efficiency extends to customer awareness as well. Gelsinger cited a strategic investment in Barna Group, a research firm focused on spiritual trends. Some loyal Barna customers were not aware of the Gloo investment, yet the platform has been transformed nevertheless. Barna was almost 100% analog, but today it is about 90% digital and AI-fueled, similar to the approach of AI security startup Tenet. The company upgraded the technology and accelerated its growth rate.
