AI, Faith, and Ethics Discussion

Pope Leo XIV explained that AI development inspired his papal name, referencing Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum Novarum and its focus on social questions during the industrial revolution. The Church offers its social teaching to address AI's challenges to human dignity, justice, and labor.

The Catholic Union and Farm Street Church hosted a panel discussion entitled 'AI, Faith and Ethics at a Crossroads: Discerning the Way Forward' to explore the moral and spiritual challenges of technological transformation.

Opportunities and Risks of AI

Dr. Karen Singarayer, Vice-Chair of the Catholic Union of Great Britain, noted both the opportunities and risks of AI development, impacting manual laborers and professionals alike. The written word, video, and audio are increasingly AI-generated, potentially making learned or creative vocations vulnerable. These developments raise questions about human presence, relationships, education, healthcare, and evangelization.

Dr. Singarayer acknowledged the late Pope Francis as a leading moral voice on AI, mindful of the common good and warning against unchecked development of war instruments.

Jen Copestake, Correspondent at China Global Television Network Europe, stated that AI is deeply embedded in our lives, presenting moral and philosophical crossroads, questioning the limits of AI capabilities.

AI and the Future of Work

Ms. Copestake highlighted AI's pitfalls, noting it is not always programmed to embrace human diversity and questioned whether machines can replicate human empathy and dignity. She mentioned a prediction that by 2030, 375 million workers may need to migrate or transition. Referencing Laudato Si, she noted Pope Francis's insistence that technological change should not make people obsolete.

She spoke of the potential transformation of 70% of jobs due to AI, emphasizing the need to protect workers and the meaning behind their work, potentially requiring a universal basic income to preserve human dignity. Additionally, she stressed improving AI's ecological impact, dependent on massive energy consumption, advocating for sustainable resource use in line with Catholic social teaching.

AI and Evangelization

Matthew Harvey Sanders, CEO of Longbeard and Creator of Magisterium AI, discussed AI's use in evangelization, noting that some individuals are more comfortable discussing their concerns with a chatbot than approaching a priest. He clarified that this is not to replace priests but to meet people where they are, sharing testimonials of people beginning their journey to the Church or clarifying misconceptions. He also mentioned the accelerated digitization of the Church's library holdings and the Catholic language AI model Ephrem.

Fr. Michael Baggot, Professor of Theology at Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome, discussed the Church's foundation in relationship with God and each other, emphasizing communion and interpersonal love. He described the Church as expert in humanity, hoping to accompany people and their needs. He cautioned against the abuses of AI's virtual world, its seductive nature, and its lack of compassion, also warning against outsourcing moral agency.

Fr Baggot stated that while AI works with data, it should not replace human responsibility. The Church insists on equity. Panelists hoped AI could liberate from toil but feared job losses, social unrest, and information overload. AI should enhance human wisdom and never replace humanity, underscored by the incarnational God.