CCBI News: New Vatican Document on Artificial Intelligence

January 31, 2025

Dear Friends of CCBI,

New Vatican Document on Artificial Intelligence

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education have just published a document on artificial intelligence (AI). Antiqua et nova (Note on the Relationship between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence) was released on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Named for its first Latin words relating to wisdom ancient and new, the document is the fruit of the Vatican’s analysis of the content, context and ethics of artificial intelligence since its inception, highlighting potential benefits and dangers as it does regarding any new technology with far-reaching consequences for humanity. The Vatican emphasizes the ‘artificial’ component, reminding us that AI cannot replace human interactions, e.g., emotional behaviours such as empathy, no matter how well it may resemble those characteristics. The Note states, “While human beings are meant to experience authentic relationships, AI can only simulate them.”

Remember: AI is a tool

The Editorial director of Vatican News wrote on the Note’s release: “AI is a tool: it performs tasks, but it does not think. It is not capable of thinking. It is therefore misleading to attribute human characteristics to it, because it is a ‘machine’ that remains confined to the logical-mathematical sphere.”

AI is not inherently intuitive or creative in the way people experience genuine insights, enlightenment or bursts of genius, but uses material made available to it in order to reproduce and replicate that material in a synthesized form, doing so at rapid speed and mostly accurately, depending on the input from which it ‘learns.’ And machines do learn—that is what they are made to do. Even our smart phones are mini-sized computers that provide information, directions, messaging, shopping and banking functions, etc., although they can also be misused for nefarious purposes. Such possibilities only extend the potential risks to humanity.

Positive and Negative Aspects of AI Technology

In fact, the Vatican’s Note speaks of both positive and negative aspects of AI technology, saying: “Yet, as in all areas where humans are called to make decisions, the shadow of evil also looms here.” It continues: “AI also presents a serious risk of generating manipulated content and false information, which can easily mislead people due to its resemblance to the truth.” It goes as far as to say, “AI-generated fake media can gradually undermine the foundations of society.” This is a serious claim, not without evidence, and we are meant to pay attention!

In light of these dangers, the Vatican demands that governments and international organizations should ensure AI is used for the benefit of all: “This issue requires careful regulation, as misinformation—especially through AI-controlled or influenced media—can spread unintentionally, fuelling political polarization and social unrest.” The Vatican, therefore, warns of the danger of handing over human responsibility to AI: “Where human freedom allows for the possibility of choosing what is wrong, the moral evaluation of this technology will need to take into account how it is directed and used.”

Distinction Between AI and Human Intelligence

Vatican News reminds us we need to be aware of the fundamental distinction between AI and human intelligence. Pope Francis has already said elsewhere that, “…the very use of the word ‘intelligence’ in connection to AI ‘can prove misleading,” and the document concludes that “… in light of this, AI should not be seen as an artificial form of human intelligence, but as a product of it.” (35). It reminds us of AI’s potential for helpful innovations (48) but cautions that “… it also risks aggravating situations of discrimination, poverty, ‘digital divide’ and social inequalities.” (52) It states that the power held by only a few mega- tech providers raises important ethical concerns, including “…the risk that AI could be manipulated for personal or corporate gain or to direct public opinion for the benefit of a specific industry.” (53)

On AI’s effects on human relations in the broad sense, the Note warns of “harmful isolation” if humans develop dependencies on machines instead of on human relationships and adds that the “anthropomorphizing” of AI poses problems for children’s growth.” One of the dangers is that a child might see human relationships as ‘transactional,’ as with a chatbot, instead of as an encounter with a full-blooded individual similar to oneself. (60) It adds: “…using AI to deceive in other contexts—such as education or in human relationships, including the sphere of sexuality—is also to be considered immoral and requires careful oversight.” (62)

Role in Healthcare

The Note speaks to the role of AI in healthcare, recognizing its benign effects in many valuable areas, while reminding us that if AI were to replace the doctor-patient relationship, it would risk damaging human integration and stability, by “…worsening the loneliness that often accompanies illness.” (73) It points to the risk of increasing disparities in access to medical care, especially the danger of “…reinforcing a ‘medicine for the rich,’ where those with financial means benefit from advanced preventative tools and personalized health information while others struggle to access even basic services.” (76)

Finally, the Note warns against the risk of humanity becoming “enslaved to its own work.” (105) Artificial intelligence, Antiqua et Nova insists, “should be used only as a tool to complement human intelligence rather than replace its richness.” (12)

Now, something different!

A nice counterbalance to the risks/benefits of AI, at least in Ontario, was the news this week that the Ontario Government plans to improve access to a family doctor for thousands of people by increasing the budget for that purpose by 1.8 billion dollars. The Sun reports that, “The new funding comes via the province’s Primary Care Action Plan, led by Jane Philpott — a physician and former Liberal MP who was tasked with leading the team in October.” The program aims to fill Ontario’s physician-patient gap by the end of the decade, which is good news for the 2.3 million Ontarians who are without a family doctor, with realities even harsher in the province’s north. While the timing of the announcement is remarkably close to the call for an election in Ontario, there is reason for some optimism, not to mention hope!

Sources

Antiqua et nova. Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence (28 January 2025)
AI: A tool that cannot replace the richness of humanity – Vatican News
Vatican warns of ‘shadow of evil’ from artificial intelligence
New Vatican document examines potential and risks of AI – Vatican News
Ontario spending $1.8 billion to improve family doctor access

Pope Francis’ Intentions for January

For the right to an education
Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

Moira and Bambi