Recent weeks have brought a great deal of concerned attention to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and the harm such can cause. While not mentioning Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical on artificial intelligence, “Magnifica Humanitas,” notable leaders in the world of artificial intelligence have called for what the pope is calling for — a slowing down of its rapidly progressing development, especially for evaluation. The chief executives of artificial intelligence have raised serious concerns about it outpacing itself by discovering security breaches carried out by their own programs without their knowledge. What computer scientists term “recursive self-improvement” can enable artificial intelligence systems to rely upon themselves to grow more independent and not need the aid of human insight. This self-motivation can cause a lack of control leading to cyberattacks, bioterrorism and serious economic disruption. A leading researcher in artificial intelligence expressed, “The people leading AI earnestly believe it could kill us all by the end of the decade. This is not a marketing stunt.”
Certainly, the most insightful world voice in regard to the dangers of artificial intelligence, as well as its benefits, has been that of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. From the very beginning of his papacy, he stressed that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence would be a major focus of his papacy, and he has spoken very frequently about it and the need for caution in its use. His first encyclical is a brilliant reflection, offering guidance in understanding artificial intelligence and dealing with it, both in its positive contributions and its ability to harm. He reminds us of our own human dignity, which cannot be controlled by any machine and far supersedes modern technology.
The pope is exemplifying not only his personal intelligence but also a wisdom that comes with experience, age and personal insight. While a machine may mimic intelligence, it cannot mimic wisdom, which comes from the heart. In fact, artificial intelligence is better referred to as algorithmic information (AI) as it puts together algorithms in rapid fashion to assist in doing research. Only human beings, and living creatures, are able to possess intelligence of which the culmination is wisdom.
Pope Leo, in the face of the recently expressed concerns, has been consistent in his teaching and advice on the matter of artificial intelligence. When asked by the press, on his recent flight to Rome after his apostolic visit to France, if he had concerns that artificial intelligence could be a catastrophic threat to humanity, he responded, “If someone were to ask me, am I in panic mode? No, I’m not. I sleep at night.” However, he went on to say, “I do think that the concerns raised by many of the experts, specialists in AI, should be taken seriously. I don’t think that it is fake news, as some have said, to try and cause financial or some other kind of benefit.”
It seems that the pope has increased his reference to the matter of artificial intelligence in the past couple of days since the warnings regarding AI have come to the fore. In a talk at the Vatican to artists and curators of museums, he expressed that there is a fundamental difference between the art of humans and what artificial intelligence can imitate based on the work of others. He stated, “There is an ontological difference — even before an aesthetic one — between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others. Algorithms lack the space of the human, whereas authentic culture and art preserve this spark.” Here, he quoted his own encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas.” He expressed to the artists and curators present, “The Church needs you. This is especially true in this age of artificial intelligence in which we urgently need to distinguish between human art from what is produced by machines.” Here, Pope Leo expressed that art is inherent to human nature and comes from the human heart, which cannot be imitated by machines. He has consistently expressed how artificial intelligence cannot imitate the insight of art, music, poetry, literature and every form of human creativity. AI can discourage the human heart from what is natural to it alone and disrupt the natural creativity which is part of the human spirit.
Pope Leo also recently met with the Vatican Lay Employees Association and the Women in the Vatican Association, the only two labor associations in Vatican City State. He thanked them for their associations and also expressed his high regard for the expertise, discernment and creativity which they brought to the environment of work within the Vatican. During his talk, he spoke, as he has on other occasions, on the value and dignity of work, as well on the challenges which artificial intelligence presents to it. He said, “In the face of today’s challenges in the world of work, especially those posed by developments in artificial intelligence, it is more important than ever to keep attention focused on the irreplaceable centrality of the human person and the unalienable dignity of work.” Many are losing their sources of employment due to the ability of artificial intelligence to do their work. Many college students who graduated this year are disappointed because the jobs they trained for are no longer available due to artificial intelligence. Pope Leo has expressed this concern before, which is a critical one in terms of artificial intelligence intruding on what is properly human for the sake of profit and gain.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has set up a special taskforce to study and give advice in regard to the proper use of artificial intelligence, as well as to enhance awareness on the dangers which have recently been raised from certain executives dealing with artificial intelligence. As I mentioned before, I believe that the use of the term artificial intelligence is misleading, since the results of the process are derived from the rapid examination of algorithms in any particular area. More proper would be the term algorithmic investigation. Unfortunately, agencies of our federal government have just been directed to use the term super intelligence (SI) in place of artificial intelligence (AI). This confuses what artificial intelligence is even more. It gives a false impression that the results of artificial intelligence are always superior to that of human intelligence.
In light of all the concerns which have recently been expressed by leaders in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as the continued guidance of Pope Leo, I believe super intelligence is a misleading identification, giving more rise to the misimpression of what artificial intelligence is. Perhaps the better identification for artificial intelligence, if the adjective super needs to be included, would be superficial intelligence. It is not human intelligence but one that works on the fringes. It is unfortunate that politics is involving itself in the whole matter of artificial intelligence in a manner that is not seeking the true development of the magnificence of humanity but that of economic progress and superiority.
We continue to be very grateful for the wise insight of Pope Leo, who is giving us sound teaching and wise guidance in the proper use of artificial intelligence or superficial intelligence. His articulation is the best example of true intelligence.
Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito
