The Vatican published on Tuesday a new “note” that addresses the ethical and anthropological implications of artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the distinctions between human and artificial intelligence and offering guidelines to ensure that the development and use of AI serves Humanity and defend human dignity.
Titled “Antiqua et Nova” (“The old and the new”), the document of about 30 pages, dated January 28, is signed by Cardinal Víctor Fernández, Prefect of the Dicasteria for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) and Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of Dicastery for Culture and Education.
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The document begins by establishing a Christian framework to understand human intelligence as a gift from God, emphasizing the relational and seeking nature of the truth of humanity within an embodied existence. The Christian tradition considers the gift of intelligence an essential aspect of the creation of human beings “in the image of God”, says the document.
In contrast, modern AI systems work largely through patterns recognition, and most are limited to certain tasks, although the document indicates that “general artificial intelligence” (AGI) is A declared objective of many AI developers and can be achieved soon. Such a system would be able to “perform any task available to the human mind”, or even “exceeding human intellectual capacity.”
Even in its most advanced forms, however, the AI still operates based on algorithms and computational logic, says the document, which means that it lacks the creative, spiritual and moral dimensions of human thought.
In contrast, the document adds, “human intelligence does not mainly consist of performing functional tasks, but also actively implicating and involved in reality in all its aspects, and is also capable of surprising intuitions. Since IA does not possess the Wealth of corporeality, relationality and the openness of the human heart to truth and good, their abilities, although they seem infinite, are incomparable with the human abilities of capturing reality ”
AI is itself a product of human intelligence, not an equal or superior form of intelligence, emphasizes the document.
AI and society
The document indicates several possible pitfalls in the development of AI, such as the possibility of disruption in the workforce; a weakening of human relations face to face; a degradation of privacy as new AI surveillance systems develop; an introduction of inaccurate or biased information in the context of education, media or society in general; And even, as the Vatican has repeatedly warned, the possibility of deployment of the war that has the power to destroy lives directly.
Faced with these potential challenges, the document asks for a solid ethical framework to guide the development and deployment of AI, guided by the principles of Catholic social doctrine. In general, the development of AI must always respect and promote the intrinsic dignity of each human being.
The document emphasizes that in contrast to a “functionalist” vision of AI that focuses strongly on the skills of AI, the value and dignity of a person, in contrast, they are based on their creation in the image of God, not on their cognitive skills or technological achievements. The development of AI must respect this fact and promote the intrinsic dignity of each human being, regardless of their condition, the prefects wrote.
In addition, they point out that AI should be used to serve the common good, promote integral human development and not only be used for individual or corporate benefit. It should be used as much as possible to reduce inequality and not reinforce existing power imbalances, they wrote.
Prefects add that AI systems cannot be allowed without human supervision; Humans, as moral agents, have the responsibility of the design, purpose and consequences of AI systems. And in accordance with the Catholic concept of subsidiarity, decision -related decision making must be decentralized and involve several levels of society, allowing a broad spectrum of contributions, says the document.
The development of AI should promote us to “renew the assessment of everything that is human”, perhaps through a renewed interest in the study of the humanities, the document continues.
True wisdom
The document concludes by referring to what Pope Francis recently called the “wisdom of the heart”: the idea that true wisdom is not just about learning knowledge or dominating technical skills, but rather to integrate the human intellect with our given capacity By God to appreciate the values of truth, goodness and beauty.
The “wisdom of the heart” is presented as a counterweight to the dangers of a purely technological mentality – what Pope Francis has called the “technocratic paradigm” – which emphasizes efficiency and control over human dignity and relationships, rejecting the idea that technology alone can solve all problems.
“Because ‘what measures the perfection of people is their degree of charity, not the amount of data and knowledge that accumulate’, the way IA ‘is used to include the latter, that is, the brothers and the brothers and the Weaker and needy sisters, is the measure that our humanity reveals, ”concludes the prefects in the document.
“This wisdom can illuminate and guide a use of such technology focused on human being, which as such can help promote the common good, to take care of the ‘common house’, to advance in the search for truth, support development Integral human, favor solidarity and human fraternity, and then lead to humanity to its ultimate end: the happy and full communion with God, ”adds the text.
The Vatican has been involved in the development of AI on numerous occasions; Pope Francis has frequently talked about the importance of developing and using AI ethically, and the Holy See has sponsored lectures on AI in recent years.
The publication of the DDF document follows the new “guidelines on artificial intelligence” for the state of the city of the Vatican that Pope Francis issued earlier this month establishing ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence within the state of the Vatican.
Catholic experts both clergy and laity have opined on the potential dangers of AI, such as the possibility of human extinction due to malicious or accidental use, as well as opportunities for ethical development and use within the Church.
Jonah McKeown
Jonah McKeown is editor and producer of Podcasts of Catholic News Agency. He has a master’s degree from the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri and has worked as a writer, radio producer and cameraman.