Confession Times
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From the Friars: Chainsaws and AI
What do chainsaws and Artificial Intelligence have in common? They are both tools, man-made tools. They can be very useful, but also quite dangerous if not used prudently and according to their proper function and capabilities. In the hands of the malicious, a chainsaw becomes the stuff of gruesome low budget horror movies. There is likewise a growing list of science fiction books and movies where AI computers or robots take on a life of their own and cause havoc and terror. Today the leaders in the AI field are themselves asking for safeguards because they do not know where all this is going.
This revolutionary technology has tremendous potential for good. But as all good things are abused, we should take time to understand this tool that is rapidly changing the world we live in. A couple of brief points here will hopefully prompt further investigation. First, AI will never become human, never have a rational soul despite appearances. Vulnerable people who attempt to form a personal relationship with a machine are damaging their dignity and losing contact with reality, which is an apt definition of insanity.
Because computers can now seem not only human but super-human, there is a healthy growing interest and debate about human nature itself. This is especially where the Catholic Church can not only enlighten but also raise up Our Lord Jesus Christ, so as to draw all to Him. His human nature is the archetype of ours.
The human person is a composite of body and soul. A machine has neither. AI is amazing in its ability to process data quickly and produce answers that have high statistical probability. But it cannot know in the full sense, it cannot have the certitude and insight that only comes from a higher source, the Light of the World. Hence, we should never surrender our thinking and judgement to digital output.
Jesus Ascending to Heaven, by John Singleton Copley – Public Domain, Link
Most of all a machine cannot love. As we celebrate the glorious Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven this Thursday, we are reminded of what we were made for, to enter into the Life of The Most Holy Trinity.
Chainsaws and AI are gifts from our Creator. But they are only tools to help us reach the Goal.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Fr. Peter