Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a defining force in today’s world, capable of both transforming industries and posing serious ethical dilemmas. The Vatican recently released a sobering text addressing AI’s potential dangers, offering a moral lens through which Catholics and all people of goodwill can discern its proper use. Written by two Vatican departments and approved by Pope Francis, the document delves into the growing concerns about AI’s societal impacts, including its ability to erode trust, undermine human dignity, and fuel polarization.
The Danger of Deception
One of the most striking warnings in the Vatican’s text centers on the risks of AI-generated misinformation, such as deepfakes. These deceptive tools can cause individuals to question the authenticity of everything they see and hear. As the document states, “AI-generated fake media can gradually undermine the foundations of society. As deepfakes cause people to question everything and AI-generated false content erodes trust in what they see and hear, polarization and conflict will only grow” (according to the Vatican text).
This erosion of trust strikes at the heart of the human community, which relies on mutual understanding and truth. For Catholics, who are called to live in communion with one another, the ability to trust what is true and authentic is foundational.
Power in the Hands of the Few
The Vatican also raises alarms about the concentration of power in AI development. As the text notes, “The concentration of the power over mainstream AI applications in the hands of a few powerful companies raises significant ethical concerns” (according to the Vatican). This imbalance could lead to exploitation and the prioritization of profit over the common good.
Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized the need for technological progress to align with human dignity. Technology, while a tool, should not become a means to oppress, surveil, or diminish the value of the human person. Instead, it must serve as a complement to human labor and creativity, not a replacement for it.
Impacts on Workers and Relationships
Another key concern highlighted in the Vatican’s text is the potential for AI to dehumanize work environments and erode personal relationships. AI systems, particularly in medicine and caregiving, could exacerbate loneliness rather than alleviate suffering. The text explains, “AI cannot be a substitute for human relationships—particularly in medicine, where it risks ‘worsening the loneliness that often accompanies illness’” (according to the Vatican).
Similarly, workers risk being reduced to repetitive, rigid tasks or replaced entirely by machines. This raises serious questions about justice in the workplace and the dignity of labor, themes central to Catholic social teaching.
A Call for Ethical Use
The Vatican’s warnings are not meant to reject AI outright. Pope Francis has recognized its “immense potential” in addressing challenges like healthcare, education, and climate change. However, the text makes clear that this potential must be harnessed ethically and responsibly. AI should serve humanity, promoting the common good while safeguarding the dignity and freedom of every person.
The document also calls for serious reflection on the weaponization of AI, such as lethal autonomous systems. Citing the atrocities of history, it urges a prohibition on their use, stating that such technology casts a “shadow of evil” over its application (according to the Vatican).
What Catholics Can Do
For Catholics, this message is both a challenge and an opportunity. It challenges us to engage critically with AI, understanding its implications and advocating for its ethical use. It also calls us to bear witness to the Gospel by promoting truth, justice, and the dignity of all people in our increasingly digital world.
As the Vatican reminds us, “Such widespread deception is no trivial matter; it strikes at the core of humanity, dismantling the foundational trust on which societies are built” (according to the Vatican). Let us prayerfully consider how we, as Catholics, can contribute to a culture that values truth, dignity, and the common good in the age of AI.
