Artificial intelligence is rapidly bringing about the end of the world as we know it, but Pope Leo XIV has an urgent message for everyone: don't run away from the changes brought about by AI; instead, face them head-on.
That was just one of the conclusions reached at a conference held on August 1 at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, where the Pope’s recent encyclical was discussed: «Magnifica Humanitas: »On the Protection of the Human Person in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” Peter Cooney, co-founder of the Acutis AI web platform—named after St. Charles Acutis and designed as a Catholic alternative to conventional AI systems by offering answers based on Church teaching—explained Pope Leo XIV’s extensive document to the attendees.
«It starts off strong: humanity faces a crucial decision. It gets right to the point. If you look at other encyclicals, they usually start off in a much gentler tone,» said Cooney, a 21-year-old senior majoring in economics at the University of Dallas. «So I think what Pope Leo is telling us is: this is important; listen up; pay attention.» And there are good reasons for that, given the speed at which AI is spreading into all areas of daily life.
Unprecedented technology
Cooney noted that on November 30, 2022, the launch of ChatGPT, a generative AI chatbot, was announced on the social media platform Twitter, now known as X. Within five days, it already had more than one million users; now, less than four years later, it has more than one billion monthly active users. «This is the fastest-growing technology we’ve ever seen in the world,» Cooney said. «And I think there are some aspects of this technology worth highlighting that set it apart from those of the past.».
Among those differences, he said, are the diversity of AI users (ranging from children to the military); the concentrated ownership of AI (Cooney estimated that fewer than 10 companies control 95% of the current market); and the competitive race for AI between the United States and China (with the goal of turning this powerful technology into a weapon). «What we have is a handful of companies in two of the world’s most powerful nations competing to create the most advanced AI models to gain a military advantage,» Cooney emphasized. «And that same technology is present in the Chromebooks children use in their classrooms. This is the world the Holy Father is heading into.».
Even so, the Catholic Church is not without answers. With this encyclical, Pope Leo XIV has «established the Church as a moral authority on this issue,» Cooney said. «Which gives technology leaders good reasons to read the rest of what it has to say.».
The Three Dangers of Artificial Intelligence
According to Cooney, the pontiff points out three particular dangers of AI: the ease with which results can be obtained; its appearance of objectivity where none actually exists; and its ability to simulate human communication.
While AI can be truly useful, «if we stop thinking things through and simply delegate all of that to AI, we’ll lose the ability to think,» Cooney suggested, «which is a fundamental part of what makes us human.» He also confirmed that, when it comes to AI, «every response is based on probability. Basically, it’s about doing mathematical calculations and finding the highest probability that the next word will be correct,» Cooney said. «AI is not neutral.».
On the subject of human communication, Cooney added, «If we’re not careful, we may allow AI to gradually take away our human relationships… it can erode human relationships.».
What's at stake
Cooney noted that Pope Leo XIV asserts that these threats endanger truth, work, and freedom.
Truth, because AI exacerbates the problem of misinformation through its ability to manipulate images or videos; work, because using AI to replace employees undermines their human dignity; and freedom, because it’s easy to feel like you’re making a choice when, in reality, your decisions are heavily influenced by AI.
However, Cooney confirmed that Pope Leo remains hopeful. «He doesn’t say we should hide from AI or run away from it. He acknowledges all the dangers and the state of confusion and fear that prevails in the world,» Cooney said. «But he calls on us to build. He says that, despite this downward spiral, we can also glimpse a large part of humanity striving… to build the holy city.».
Don't run away—build instead
Pope Leo XIV’s exhortation, «Magnifica Humanitas,» calling on people to embrace their role as disciples of Jesus Christ in an «era of digital transformation,» is undoubtedly thought-provoking.
«Let us not be afraid to get our hands dirty in the «work in progress» of our time,» writes Pope Leo XIV in the encyclical. He urged people «not to be passive spectators of social and cultural divisions, nor mere commentators on what is falling apart, but men and women willing to enter into the works of history —research laboratories, technology companies, schools, the media, institutions, and local communities—to rebuild what has collapsed and protect what is under threat.».
According to Cooney, Pope Leo’s call to the men and women of today «is to build without fear, to protect our children, and to entrust everything to Mary.».
Disciples of Christ in the Digital Age
In response to Pope Leo’s call, Cooney offered three personal suggestions. «We can’t be afraid of AI. We have to learn how to use it—and learn how to use it well,» he said.
He also urged parents to «talk to their children and their schools to find out how AI is being used. Because it’s being used in practically every school… it’s important for them to understand how it works and the problems it sometimes presents.» And finally, Cooney recommended prayer. «I would say try to pray a few Hail Marys every day for world peace,» he said, «and that the world may resolve this together.».
OSV News correspondent Kimberley Heatherington reported from Washington.
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