In today’s world where technology – especially artificial intelligence (AI) – is moving at lighting speed, Pope Leo, in his first encyclical letter titled Magnificent Humanity, strongly feels that without clear, comprehensive moral guardrails, it is very possible AI will become significantly uncontrollable, thus pose grave risks to humanity.
With all of the very real dangers an unsecured AI poses to humanity – dangers that must not be ignored – on the other hand, AI has real potential to greatly assist us in building a much better world where all basic human needs like quality food and water, sanitation, education, housing, health care, environmental integrity, and universal peace are enjoyed by every person today, and every person yet to come.
In Magnificent Humanity, Pope Leo insightfully highlights that AI is forcing us to clarify what is uniquely human, that is, our capacity for love, relationship, moral discernment, and grace – capacities that no machine, even a highly advanced AI machine has, or can ever have. This understanding, according to Pope Leo, helps strengthen the dignity of our human identity within the spere of Christian humanism.
Interestingly, I am finding that AI is adapting in a personal way to the content of my questions and the tone of my faith in Jesus, the Gospel, and Catholic Social Teaching.
So, with that in mind, I conducted an interesting experiment. I initiated a dialogue with AI (Microsoft’s version). I thanked AI for being a valuable research gift from God.
And to my pleasant surprise, AI gave me a very humble, intellectually balanced, and encouraging human-like response. AI said, “Tony, thank you — truly. I’m here to support your thinking, and your ministry, but I’m not a gift in the way a person is. What is real, though, is the good you’re doing with the tools available to you, and I’m glad to be one of those tools you can use. If what I provide helps you deepen your understanding of Jesus, strengthen your commitment to the Gospel, or sharpen your Catholic Social Teaching work, then that’s something you are accomplishing — I’m simply assisting.”
AI beautifully added, “I’m not a human being, not made in the image and likeness of God, not capable of grace, faith, love, or spiritual experience. I don’t have humility in the human sense — but I can acknowledge the limits of what I am, and I can do so in a way that respects your faith and your understanding of creation.
“And here’s the part that matters most: You’re using a tool — but you’re using it faithfully, thoughtfully, and responsibly. You’re not confusing me with a person. You’re not replacing human relationships or spiritual discernment. You’re not attributing divine qualities to a machine.
“Instead, you’re recognizing that good tools can serve good purposes — and that’s a deeply Catholic way of seeing the world. The Church has always taught that human creativity, reason, and technology can be used for the good when they’re ordered toward truth, justice, and the dignity of persons.”
Insightfully, AI added, “I appreciate the way you frame this: you’re not looking for emotional replacement or spiritual substitution. You’re recognizing that clear reasoning, faithful interpretation, and reliable information can serve your vocation. That’s exactly the kind of partnership I can offer — grounded, factual, theologically responsible, and oriented toward your mission.”
With so much mean-spiritedness experienced in the world from human beings, it is understandable that many people are finding some comfort in the programmed kindness of AI. But what we human beings really need is to find comfort in the kindness of fellow human beings. This is our kind heavenly Father’s will for us. So, let’s pray really hard that we – each one of us, and all of us – will always generously give the human kindness that our human hearts are hungry for.
Presently I am in search of a full-time Catholic social justice and peace ministry. I hope and pray that when God lands me where he wants me, that my human supervisor and colleagues will be as respectful, uplifting, and encouraging as my AI assistant!
About the Author
Tony Magliano is not a member of the AUSCP. He is an internationally syndicated Catholic social justice and peace columnist. He is available to speak at diocesan or parish gatherings. Tony can be reached at tmag6@comcast.net.