For his theme for World Day of Peace (Sunday January 14), Pope Francis has chosen Artificial Intelligence and Peace.
While this might seem a strangely technical theme, we know we do need to think about the consequences of the advances in AI for peace and justice.
Certainly, governments around the world are taking the development of AI seriously. In November, prime minister Rishi Sunak invited experts and world leaders to a summit to look at AI and safety.
Before the summit, he affirmed that while we should not be alarmist, and there are undoubtedly benefits for humanity in the development of AI, “get this wrong and AI could make it easier to build chemical or biological weapons”.
In the most extreme case, there is even a risk humanity might lose control of AI completely.
Pope Francis is raising a highly contemporary theme and one he has spoken on before when he has addressed the risks in the development of technology, not least in Laudato Si’ and Laudato Deum.
He has already said it is a theme he will return to on World Communications Day 2024, when he will consider “Artificial Intelligence and wisdom of the heart for a fully human communication”.
For many of us, the first question is: “What exactly is ‘Artificial Intelligence?”
It is a concept that has entered our everyday language and yet we are not quite sure what it encompasses. Inevitably, there are several definitions, but that used by the UK Information Commissioner is helpful:

“AI is an umbrella term for a range of technologies and approaches that often attempt to mimic human thought to solve complex tasks. Things that humans have traditionally done by thinking and reasoning are increasingly being done by, or with the help of, AI.”

And we are already familiar with several of its uses – internet search engines such as Google, the ability of applications like Amazon, YouTube and Netflix to recommend something to buy, watch or listen to based on our previous choices, software such as ChatGPT, which can generate articles and essays or design software that can generate images. Who hasn’t seen the image of Pope Francis in a puffer jacket?

What are our concerns as peacemakers in the development of AI? First there is the direct impact of AI on war and weapons. Drone Wars UK warn that AI is seen by the world’s military powers to revolutionise warfare and gain an advantage over enemies. Worrying military applications of AI are already being rolled out and those in development pose threats to our lives, human rights and well-being.

Then there are the fundamental concerns Pope Francis raised when he announced his theme for the World Day of Peace: the need to be vigilant that a “logic of violence and discrimination” doesn’t take root in the development of AI at the expense of the most fragile and excluded; that the advancement of AI does not fuel injustice and inequality and therefore conflict, and, of course, that AI is developed so it serves humanity and the protection of our common home. It is a theme we will need to keep returning to.

Prayer

God our creator and sustainer,

We thank you for the gifts of creativity you have given us, for the ability to explore science and understand your creation.

We ask your forgiveness for the times we have used science for evil and not for good, for war and not for peace.

Make us vigilant as we develop technology, that violence and discrimination may not take root, that injustice and inequality will not be fueled, that the poot and vulnerable will not pay the cost.

May all that we create contribute to peace and justice.

Amen

Resources

Peace Sunday 2024 – Letter to Parishes from Archbishop Malcolm

Peace Sunday 2024 – Liturgy Booklet

Peace Sunday 2024 – Alternative Homily

Peace Sunday 2024 – Resources for Children

Peace Sunday 2024 – Resource Leaflet

Peace Sunday 2024 – Justpeace and Poster

Source: cbcew.org.uk