My algorithm fed me an article from Axios this morning: 5 Ways Pope Leo says AI could warp humanity. (We’ll leave aside the question of how internet listicles have warped headline writing…) The author summarizes the new papal encyclical in the following five points:
Leo gave the following warnings:
- AI can erode human judgment by offering instant answers that weaken creativity, discernment and the patience needed to seek truth.
- AI can simulate care without relationship, making vulnerable users mistake artificial empathy for genuine human connection.
- AI can deepen inequality because data, computing power and regulatory influence are concentrated among a small number of actors.
- AI can destabilize democracy by amplifying disinformation and blurring the line between fact and fiction.
- AI can make war easier by speeding up lethal decisions and distancing humans from responsibility. Leo’s starkest line: “No algorithm can make war morally acceptable.”
On the balance, these sound like the kinds of things we would hope that the pope–or any other Christian leader–would say about AI. What jumped out at me from the article, though, is that the only two experts cited responding (positively) are both from Roman Catholic institutions. Which raises the question: will any one other than Roman Catholics read this encyclical? And if so, will they understand what they’re reading and allow it to have a voice in the currently muddled conversation in the public square regarding what AI means for society and for humanity.
Yes, I know–scholars, pundits, and lobbyists are writing articles and think-pieces, but I have yet to see thoughtful public positions crystalize other than a wait-and-see kind of attitude from most folks, loosely balanced by AI doomers and AI optimists on the fringes.
As a biblical scholar, a liturgical theologian, and a professional data guy, I’ve got Thoughts and they’re beginning to slowly coalesce around the intertwined concepts of Baptism, Sanctity, Ecclesiology, and Humanity. In short, I’ve been thinking about a book on the saints since my trip last summer to France and visits there with the martyrs of Lyon, Martin of Tours, and Alcuin among others. But I can’t see how that work develops properly without a solid discussion of Baptism and basic Christian humanity and responsibility. (If we’re talking about people who go “above & beyond” we have to know what the bar is to give “above & beyond” any actual meaning!)
So, in the interest of multiple things–getting back into the habit of regular writing, actually posting here, and providing my take on the pope’s thoughts–I’m going to try to work through the encyclical in chunks here over the next week or two. (We’ll see if I can follow through on that or not.)
If you want to check it out and haven’t yet, you can find the encyclical here.