Catholic theological ethics and the use of artificial intelligence

Abstract

Developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) are breathtaking. We are amazed at its speed and ability to process large amounts of data. It also promises to bring significant improvements in various areas of life (e.g. industry, medicine, security, transport, education, etc.). It is a new important milestone in the history of mankind, because with the use of AI, life is no longer the same as before. The broad social and political debate on the development and use of AI is primarily focused on usability, reliability, transparency and safety, with occasional attention also being paid to ethical issues such as fair distribution, the protection of the dignity of every human being, privacy and concern for the common good. Theology brings an additional element to the general discourse on AI, pointing out that the rapid development of AI is shaking up many fundamental anthropological, metaphysical and theological questions. In particular, we must ask ourselves who the human being is, what makes the human being human and how holistic human development and just relationships at all levels of common life can be ensured in an era that will be characterised by the use of AI. [excerpt]