Linguists love oxymorons, or combinations of words that are literally contradictory but still make sense. Civil wars are never like that, and neither are legal briefs. By definition, the order is not random and the shrimp will never be jumbo.
Should we think of “artificial intelligence” in the same way? It depends on what intelligence is and, more importantly, what intelligence is for.
IQ tests assume that this apparently human ability (intelligence) has a measurable magnitude (quotient). But intelligence comes in many forms.
Philosophical reasoning grapples with abstract thinking. Scientific modeling provides tested hypotheses. Artistic expression reveals a unique perspective. Technical expertise manages how things work.
Each form of intelligence requires specific knowledge. Each is based on previous sources and experience. Each provides an understanding that contributes to the overall index of human development.
The advent of “artificial intelligence” brings much more than that.
Artificial intelligence is championed as a way to use technology to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving abilities, impacting how we know and what we do. Sensors analyze the car’s performance and GPS guides travelers where to go.
Because AI “learns” from all the data at its disposal, it can speed up and even generate information and communication. It can search the entire library for us and generate works from us.
AI is interesting. It increases human productivity as it has the potential to perform a wide range of tasks, both routine and complex.
AI can also be disorienting. The power to distort the truth through fake news and manipulated images reduces human interactivity.
The prospect of AI replacing human intelligence and social communication raises serious questions for the Church as it serves humanity. Father Justin, the AI chatbot, cannot respond to them. But Pope Francis certainly reflected on them in his recent message on World Communication Day, which was celebrated last Sunday.
Pope affirms AI’s “great potential for good”. However, these “reduce individuals to data, thoughts to mechanical processes, experience to individual cases, goodwill to profits, and above all, everything to abstract calculations that deny the uniqueness of individuals.” “There is a risk of changing,” he wisely added. Each individual and their story. ”
The solutions he proposes come from the “wisdom of the heart”, which recognizes that the purpose of communication is not just the transmission of information, but the exchange of people. Neither Siri nor Alexa can convey words in such a personal way.
Language is intended to create communication. Christians confess that Jesus is the Word incarnate and that He dwelt among us precisely to unite us with the God who brings all beings into existence (John 1:14).
This period between Ascension and Pentecost further emphasizes the Word and personal connection in the Gospel reading for those celebrating the Seventh Sunday of Easter (John 17:11b-19).
Having finished speaking his farewell speech, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and used his words to begin communion with his father again. He tells his followers that he has given his father’s word, a word that informs and transforms because it is true. As he is about to consecrate himself for them in the Passover mystery, he asks his father to follow him in that truth, that word that will remain available to all after his ascension. I beseech you to consecrate yourselves.
Their consecration (and ours) comes with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Among the gifts of this “Spirit of Truth” are those related to the intellect. It is knowledge of matters of faith and morals, understanding of God’s will to guide us toward salvation, and wisdom to judge earthly life according to God’s truth.
The word Jesus, and the words and deeds that Jesus “speaks” to us as Father, are inspired and understood by the power of the Spirit. At Pentecost, we truly understand God’s eternal life.
Now and then, when we listen to that holy Word, we share ourselves with others in the uniqueness of loving one another as God has loved us. , enter into communion with God. “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).
“Artificial intelligence” is aiming for another singularity, and there is a danger that leaving human communication to technological devices will become contradictory. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Pope Francis explained the reason for this in the conclusion of his message: “It is up to us to decide whether we will fall prey to algorithms or whether we will gain freedom and feed our minds without the growth of wisdom.”
Oblate Father Thomas Daly holds the Cardinal John Foley Chair of Homiletics and Social Communication at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where he also directs a new diocese. Catholic Preaching Institute.
