We are witnessing the meteoric development of AI technology in recent years. This phenomenon is, on the one hand, a symbol of modernization and creativity; on the other hand, it raises concerns and questions about ethical responsibility in the use of AI and its global impact on human society.
In a truly significant coincidence, warnings from the tech sector about the rapid spread of AI intensified on September 12 and 13. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, published an essay advocating for a “slower pace” in the industry and proposing mandatory independent audits for the most advanced models; Sam Altman, of OpenAI, y Elon Musk, of xAI joined in supporting this proposal.
The debate is no longer cantered on what this technology is capable of, but rather on how far it should be allowed to go. This is where the division arises: between those who call for slowing the pace due to the risk of losing control and those who believe that doing so would halt progress. The general concern now centres on who should set the limits and to what extent these systems should be allowed to evolve, all while keeping in mind the very real danger posed by our growing dependence on them.
On Wednesday, September 16, during the general audience, Pope Leo shared some concerns on this matter: “On the one hand, indeed, technological development, the spread of media and social networks, as well as the growing dependence on artificial intelligence, open up new possibilities by breaking down barriers and distances; on the other hand, relationships tend to become less personal and more virtual, and there is a risk of becoming accustomed to delegating to algorithms decisions that correspond exclusively to human conscience,” the Holy Father noted while commenting on the second chapter of the Constitution Gaudium et Spes during his catechesis.
Scala News posed some questions on this topic to Father Andrea Pizzichini, professor at the Alphonsian Academy in Rome; the text follows:
Where is the rapid development of AI leading us to? Toward a better world or a more complex and problematic one? Should we be concerned about our growing dependence on these systems?
It is quite difficult to predict the course of AI development; indeed, this is true of any technology. Such development depends decisively on real-world application scenarios—on a kind of dialogue between those who design and develop these systems and the society that adopts (or rejects) their use—as well as on the contributions of state and supranational institutions that function as legislative bodies. I don’t know if it can be said that we are heading toward a better world; that depends—here again, as always! —on us, human beings. Ultimately, AI merely amplifies what is already present in the human heart, for better or for worse. What is certain is that the world is moving toward a state of increasing complexity, and tools like AI can indeed help manage these situations. This implies the need for those who use such systems to receive training on their proper use, since numerous studies demonstrate that an unbalanced relationship with these tools can, in fact, lead to cognitive dependence.
Can we interpret the Pope’s words as the Church’s contribution to the debate on the limits of the development and application of information technologies? What points of reference does the Pontiff propose?
Undoubtedly. The Church (through its Magisterium) actively participates in this type of debate, proposing what could be called a balanced approach to AI: on the one hand, avoiding demonization while acknowledging that—as a product of human ingenuity, which is itself a gift from God—this technology can open up numerous possibilities for alleviating poverty and hardship; on the other hand, however, we must not forget that all human activity is fundamentally marked by the dark shadow of sin. Therefore, the Church realistically advises against falling into uncritical enthusiasm for the triumphs of AI, as if it were the remedy for all human needs. Rather, we must remain vigilant, because while the possibilities are enormous, the risks involved are equally significant and should not be underestimated. For this reason, the Pope —particularly in his latest encyclical, Magnifica humanitas— suggests placing the fundamental principle of safeguarding human dignity at the center of all technological development, articulating it through the teachings of the Social Doctrine of the Church, which he identifies as the compass to orient oneself in processes that are so difficult to evaluate and govern.
AI technology is becoming increasingly present, day by day, both in our personal lives and in the apostolic activity of parishes and communities. How does theological reflection—including that carried out at the Alphonsian Academy—help pastors and the faithful to harness the enormous potential of AI?
Theological reflection can play a fundamental role in deepening and clarifying, from both a theoretical and practical perspective, the meaning of technological progress in general and AI in particular. Never before has the need for meaning been raised with such force, even from circles seemingly far removed from religious sympathies—that is, regarding the great “whys” of life, questions to which technology alone cannot provide satisfactory answers. In particular, AI, which has already begun to demonstrate (at least within certain limits) that it is possible to replicate what is most human, the “divine spark” within us—that is, thought—has disoriented contemporary humanity, which has found itself lacking answers about its place in the world, despite the power of its media. This opens up an unprecedented opportunity for evangelization, to which theology is called above all precisely because of the cultural relevance of these issues, but which also demands a greater effort in formation so that everyone in the Church can live with evangelical wisdom and hope this “epochal shift” we are experiencing.
Thank you very much, Father Pizzichini, for your answers.
Scala News
