Vatican releases weighty document on AI’s ethical implications

The Vatican has released a 13,217-word document titled “ANTIQUA ET NOVA” that examines the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence from a theological and philosophical perspective.

Key context: The Catholic Church has been actively engaged in AI discussions since 2016, including papal meetings with tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg.

• The Vatican’s involvement in AI ethics predates many contemporary discussions about AI safety and regulation
• The document features 215 footnotes and draws on both Christian theology and classical philosophy
• This represents one of the most comprehensive religious examinations of AI to date

Core distinctions: The Vatican argues that fundamental differences exist between human intelligence and large language models (LLMs).

• Human intelligence encompasses rationality that extends beyond data analysis to include willing, loving, choosing, and desiring
• The document emphasizes humanity’s inherent desire to know and understand truth
• The Church positions human intelligence as a reflection of divine nature, contrasting with AI’s mathematical approach

Physical and spiritual elements: The Vatican emphasizes the importance of embodied intelligence and human relationships.

• Human intelligence is uniquely tied to physical existence and emotional experience
• The document stresses that human intelligence operates through relationships and collaboration
• The integration of truth into moral and spiritual life distinguishes human intelligence from AI capabilities

Practical applications: The document addresses specific AI use cases and potential risks.

• Healthcare decisions should not be delegated solely to AI systems
• AI should not serve as a substitute for genuine emotional relationships
• Autonomous weapons and lethal AI decisions are deemed problematic
• The concentration of AI power among few companies raises ethical concerns

Implementation challenges: Despite its philosophical depth, the document faces practical limitations.

• The Vatican offers few concrete solutions for implementing its recommendations
• Global AI development continues at a rapid pace, driven by massive investments
• American companies alone have announced $676 billion in AI data center investments
• Competition from various global actors, including China and Saudi Arabia, complicates regulatory efforts

Looking ahead: While the Vatican makes a compelling case for human intelligence’s unique value, economic pressures may override philosophical considerations in shaping AI’s development trajectory.