Artificial Intelligence and the Dignity of the Human Soul
By: Patrick Grady
Artificial intelligence can make many parts of life easier, but the technology shouldn’t replace genuine human connection. Already, AI-produced obituaries are appearing in place of thoughtful remembrances written by those who knew the deceased. Meanwhile, deepfakes depicting people who have passed away proliferate across social media platforms, raising ethical concerns about digital representations of the dead.
For this series, The Good Newsroom spoke with Julia Stoyanovich of the New York-based Center for Responsible AI about using artificial intelligence ethically as society navigates this emerging technology. Stoyanovich, who leads the center’s research initiatives, emphasizes the importance of maintaining human oversight as AI becomes more sophisticated. The center offers extensive resources for utilizing AI responsibly across various applications, from healthcare to communications.
October 8 and 9 mark the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, a fitting time to reflect on keeping human intelligence central as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in daily life. The tension between technological advancement and human dignity remains a key consideration for the Church.
The Center for Responsible AI maintains regularly updated resources on ethical technology use. Their work becomes increasingly relevant as U.S. legislators continue crafting policies that will shape AI’s future landscape.
Both the late Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have addressed AI’s relationship to the Catholic faith, offering perspectives that remain essential as the Church navigates the complexities of the AI age and its implications for human dignity and connection.