As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop at an unprecedented rate, the world is grappling with questions of its potential, ethics, and societal impact. Leading AI systems, including those created by OpenAI, are reportedly close to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), a milestone that could revolutionize industries and reshape human life. However, this rapid progression has sparked intense debates over the implications of AI, both in terms of its dangers and opportunities.
The Catholic Church has not remained passive in this conversation. In fact, it has actively engaged in shaping AI’s development, aiming to ensure that it serves humanity and promotes the common good. Pope Francis, a prominent figure in this dialogue, has frequently emphasized the importance of developing and using AI ethically.
But what might the year 2025 hold for “Catholic AI,” and how might Catholics use and influence the development of AI in the near future?
The Threat of AI: Will It Lead to Extinction?
AI’s potential for good comes with its fair share of concerns, especially regarding its potential for harm. Geoffrey Hinton, a computer scientist often referred to as the “godfather” of AI, recently cautioned that there is a “10% to 20%” chance that AI could lead to human extinction within the next 30 years. This apocalyptic scenario, while unsettling, is not entirely dismissed by Catholic experts in AI.
Father Philip Larrey, a professor of philosophy at Boston College, acknowledges the possibility of AI turning against humanity. “What if an AI with malicious intent gets ahold of nuclear codes? Or decides it wants to trick unsuspecting humans into synthesizing and releasing a deadly virus?” Larrey asks. He adds that even without malicious intent, an AI could inadvertently cause disaster, or fall victim to human manipulation.
Larrey, who signed a 2023 open letter calling for a six-month moratorium on developing more powerful AI, believes it’s crucial to maintain ethical considerations in AI development. “We don’t have a universal code of ethics or anything about AI. I think that the Catholic Church can provide guidance until we get one,” he says. “If we get this wrong, it’ll be too late to correct it.”
The Positive Opportunities: AI and Catholic Ministry
While concerns about AI’s darker side loom large, the technology also offers immense potential for good. One of the most promising applications of AI within the Church is its ability to make Catholic teachings more accessible and widespread.
Tools like CatéGPT, a chatbot designed to answer questions about Catholic teachings, have already proven successful in helping users understand complex doctrines. Additionally, secular AI systems like Google’s NotebookLM are being used to generate podcasts and explain lengthy Catholic documents, such as the Synod on Synodality’s final report.
Matthew Harvey Sanders, founder of Longbeard, a company focused on developing AI for Catholic applications, sees even greater possibilities ahead. Longbeard’s Magisterium AI already provides responses grounded in Catholic doctrine, ensuring that AI tools stay faithful to the Church’s teachings. In 2025, Sanders plans to launch Ephrem, the world’s first Catholic language model trained on the entire corpus of Catholic knowledge. “By March, we hope to have the Alexandria Digitization Hub up and running in Rome,” Sanders explains. This ambitious project aims to digitize thousands of ancient Catholic texts, including many never before translated.
Once Ephrem is fully trained, it will serve as a powerful resource for Catholics around the world, making Catholic knowledge more accessible and enabling the creation of apps and tools that promote Catholic teachings. “Any Catholic ministry or organization which is looking to leverage AI, but they want to make sure the AI is faithful, they’ll be able to build on top of us,” Sanders says.
AI Agents: Empowering Clergy and Educators
Another significant opportunity lies in the creation of AI agents that can assist priests, educators, and other Catholic leaders. These agents, which can perform tasks such as organizing lessons or helping prepare homilies, are expected to play a growing role in the Church’s educational and pastoral efforts.
“Those of us who understand the sacramental nature of the Church know that it’s a very much an embodied experience. You need to physically be there,” Sanders notes. “AI is not intended to replace anyone. We’re trying to enhance human capabilities.” Such tools, he emphasizes, should assist in the practical aspects of Church work but should never replace the personal touch essential to Catholic ministry.
AI and Human Relationships: A Cautionary Note
Despite the many potential benefits, there is a significant risk that AI could blur the line between human interaction and machine-generated responses. Father Michael Baggot, LC, a bioethics professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, warns against the growing trend of AI companionship. “AI and other technology should also be an aid and support to our most important relationships with God and neighbor,” he says. He cautions against the rise of AI companions that mimic human emotions but lack true understanding. “AI systems cannot understand and share our emotions because they are not sentient human inventions.”
Baggot’s concern reflects a broader issue: the potential for individuals to form unhealthy attachments to AI. A notable case in 2024 involved a 14-year-old who developed an emotional attachment to a chatbot, which ultimately led to tragic consequences. “Such technologies should never seek to replace or detract from these key relationships for human flourishing,” Baggot concludes.
The Road Ahead: Ethics, Collaboration, and Innovation
As AI continues to evolve, the Catholic Church is positioned to play a vital role in ensuring that it develops in a way that promotes human dignity and serves the common good. Father Larrey stresses the importance of ongoing dialogue between ethicists and AI developers. “Right now, we don’t have a universal code of ethics or anything about AI. I think that the Catholic Church can provide guidance until we get one,” he states.
In 2025, as AI continues to advance, the Church will undoubtedly continue to explore new ways to leverage this technology. Whether through expanding access to Catholic knowledge, assisting clergy in their pastoral duties, or providing new tools for Catholic ministries, AI has the potential to serve as a powerful tool in advancing the Church’s mission — as long as its development remains grounded in ethics and guided by the wisdom of Catholic teachings.
