and risks of AI
In a Note on the relationship between artificial
intelligence and human intelligence, the Dicasteries for the Doctrine of the
Faith and for Culture and Education highlight the potential and the challenges
of artificial intelligence in the areas of education, the economy, labour,
health, human and international relations, and war.
In 117 paragraphs, “Antiqua et Nova” highlights
challenges and opportunities of the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
in the fields of education, economy, work, health, relationships, and warfare.
In the latter sphere, for instance, the document warns of the AI’s potential to
increase “the instruments of war well beyond the scope of human oversight and
precipitating a destabilizing arms race, with catastrophic consequences for
human rights” [99].
Dangers and progress
Specifically, the document lists not only the risks
but also the progress associated with AI, which it encourages as “part of the
collaboration of man and woman with God” [2]. However, it does not avoid the
concerns that come with all innovations, whose effects are still unpredictable.
Distinguishing between AI and human intelligence
Several paragraphs of the Note are devoted to the
distinction between AI and human intelligence. Quoting Pope Francis, the
document affirms that “the very use of the word ‘intelligence’ in connection to
AI ‘can prove misleading’… in light of this, AI should not be seen as an
artificial form of human intelligence, but as a product of
it” [35]. “Like any product of human ingenuity, AI can also be directed toward
positive or negative ends” [40]. “AI ‘could introduce important innovations’”
[48] but it also risks aggravating situations of discrimination, poverty,
“digital divide,” and social inequalities [52]. “the concentration of the power
over mainstream AI applications in the hands of a few powerful companies raises
significant 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].
War
With reference to war, “Antiqua et Nova” stresses that
autonomous and lethal weapons systems capable of “identifying and striking
targets without direct human intervention are a “cause for grave ethical
concern” [100]. It notes that Pope Francis has called for their use to be
banned since they pose “an ‘existential risk’ by having the potential to act in
ways that could threaten the survival of entire regions or even of humanity
itself” [101]. “This danger demands serious attention,” the document says, “reflecting
the long-standing concern about technologies that grant war ‘an uncontrollable
destructive power over great numbers of innocent civilians,’ without even
sparing children” [101].
Human relations
On human relations, the document notes that AI can
lead to “harmful isolation” [58], that “anthropomorphizing AI” poses problems
for children's growth [60] and that misrepresenting AI as a person is “a grave
ethical violation” if this is done “for fraudulent purposes.” Similarly, “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].
Economy and labour
The same vigilance is called for in the
economic-financial sphere. “Antiqua et Nova” notes that, especially in the
field of labour, “while AI promises to boost productivity… current approaches
to the technology can paradoxically deskill workers, subject
them to automated surveillance, and relegate them to rigid and repetitive
tasks” [67].
Health
The Note also dedicates ample space to the issue of
healthcare. Recalling the “immense potential” in various applications in the
medical field, it warns that if AI were to replace the doctor-patient
relationship, it would risk “worsening the loneliness that often accompanies
illness” [73]. It also warns that “the integration of AI into healthcare also
poses the risk of amplifying other existing disparities in access to medical
care,” with the risk of “reinforcing a ‘medicine for the rich’ model, where those
with financial means benefit from advanced preventative tools and personalized
health information while others struggle to access even basic services” [76].
Education
In the field of education, “Antiqua et Nova” notes
that “AI presents both opportunities and challenges.” If used prudently, AI can
improve access to education and offer “immediate feedback” to students [80].
One problem is that many programmes “merely provide answers instead of
prompting students to arrive at answers themselves or write text for
themselves”; which can lead to a failure to develop critical thinking skills
[82]. The note also warns of the “biased or fabricated information” and “fake
news” some programmes can generate [84].
Fake News and Deepfakes
On the subject of fake news, the document warns of the
serious risk of AI “generating manipulated content and false information” [85],
which becomes worse when it is spread with the aim of deceiving or causing harm
[87]. “Antiqua et Nova” insists that “Those who produce and share AI-generated
content should always exercise diligence in verifying the truth of what they
disseminate and, in all cases, should ‘avoid the sharing of words and images
that are degrading of human beings, that promote hatred and intolerance, that
debase the goodness and intimacy of human sexuality or that exploit the weak
and vulnerable’” [89].
Privacy and control
On privacy and control, the Note points out that some
types of data can go so far as to touch “upon the individual’s interiority,
perhaps even their conscience” [90], with the danger of everything becoming “a
kind of spectacle to be examined and inspected” [92]. Digital surveillance “can
also be misused to exert control over the lives of believers and how they
express their faith” [90].
Common home
On the topic of the care of creation, “Antiqua et
Nova” says, “AI has many promising applications for improving our relationship
with our ‘common home’” [95]. “At the same time, current AI models and the
hardware required to support them consume vast amounts of energy and water,
significantly contributing to CO2 emissions and straining resources” [96]
The relationship with God
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” [112].
DICASTERO PER LA DOTTRINA DELLA FEDE - DICASTERO PER LA CULTURA E L'EDUCAZIONE
ANTIQUA ET NOVA
Nota sul rapporto tra intelligenza artificiale e intelligenza umana
Note on the Relationship Between
Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence
Vatican News
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