The article discusses the concerns of 'media nuns' regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on creativity and human expression. They emphasize the distinction between human creation and machine generation, advocating for a mindful approach to AI. The nuns believe that AI should be used responsibly, with a focus on human values and ethical considerations. They are urging for a greater awareness of the potential consequences of AI on society and culture.
5 months ago
The Daughters of St. Paul, known as the "media nuns" due to their media-centered mission, are actively engaging with the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on media consumption and creation 1 3. Their mission, led by Sister Nancy Usselmann, director of Pauline Media Studies, is to foster "media mindfulness catechesis" that helps individuals integrate their faith with daily media use 1 3.
Sister Usselmann emphasizes the need for reflection on AI, noting that while it generates excitement and offers beneficial tools in fields like medicine and finance, it also raises significant concerns 1 3. AI is defined as machine learning designed to mimic aspects of human intelligence, making vast amounts of data more accessible 1 3. However, potential issues include job displacement, privacy, data security, accountability for system failures, and the risk of malicious use 1 3. A particular concern highlighted is the increasing use of chatbots by young people for assistance, therapy, and even companionship 1 3.
The "media nuns" advocate for a mindful approach to AI, urging users to consider if a particular AI application promotes the common good and respects human dignity 1 3. This aligns with the Church's stance, as articulated in its document Antiqua et Nova, which calls for careful reflection amidst rapid technological change 1 3. The Church does not discourage AI use but rather encourages Catholics to be present within the digital culture to transform it for good 1 3.
Many Catholics are developing AI tools specifically for the Church's mission of evangelization 1 3. Examples include applications like Longbeard, Magisterium AI, and Truthly, which provide daily Mass readings and liturgical resources, often sourcing information from pontifical universities' theological and philosophical knowledge 1 3. The Grace app, a generative AI model, offers personalized spiritual guidance, though Sister Usselmann notes it is not a replacement for traditional spiritual direction 1 3. These tools are seen as research aids that enhance learning without diminishing human discovery 1 3.
A core tenet of the "media nuns'" message is the fundamental difference between human creativity and machine generation: "Human beings create, machines generate" 1 3. Sister Usselmann explains that human creativity stems from being made in God's image and likeness, embodying self-awareness, self-expression, and moral agency, which machines lack 1 3. While AI can generate what might appear as beauty or art, its output is based on learned algorithms and fed information, lacking the "soul" inherent in human creation 1 3.
Sister Usselmann plans to continue her investigation into AI, including attending the Builders AI Forum hosted by the Pontifical Gregorian University 1 3. This forum aims to foster an interdisciplinary community dedicated to developing AI products that serve the Church's mission, bringing together Catholic AI companies, investors, and thought leaders 1 3. Sister Usselmann's role as an "investigator" will involve ensuring that future AI developments remain aligned with the Church's understanding of Christian anthropology 1 3.
How does human creativity relate to divine creation?
Human creativity is understood as a reflection and participation in divine creation, stemming from the belief that humans are made in the image and likeness of God . This relationship is multifaceted, encompassing the origins of human talent, the purpose of creative activity, and the responsibility that comes with it.
Human abilities and creativity are gifts from God, reflecting His wisdom and goodness . The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that art, as a distinctively human form of expression, arises from talent given by the Creator and from human effort . Pope John Paul II emphasized that in the human craftsman, the image of the Creator is mirrored, and this artistic creativity allows man to appear more than ever "in the image of God" . This means that the capacity to create is not merely a human invention but a divine endowment .
Through their creative activity, human beings have the capacity to transcend material reality and "humanize" the world . Revelation teaches that men and women are created in the "image and likeness of God" (Gen 1:26), enabling them to reflect God's own creative activity through their work . In a real sense, humans are meant to be "co-creators" with God, using their knowledge and skill to shape a cosmos in which the divine plan constantly moves towards fulfillment . This includes developing abilities in science and technology, through which God is glorified . Human intelligence, in this context, reflects the Divine Intelligence that created and sustains all things .
Human creativity, like any other human activity, is not an absolute end in itself but is ordered to and ennobled by the ultimate end of man . It is a form of practical wisdom that unites knowledge and skill to give form to the truth of reality . When inspired by truth and love, art bears a certain likeness to God's activity in creation .
This mirroring of God entails a great responsibility :
The Church encourages the advancement of science, technology, and the arts, viewing them as part of humanity's collaboration with God in perfecting visible creation . This gift of intelligence should be expressed through the responsible use of reason and technical abilities in the stewardship of the created world . Ultimately, human creativity, when grounded in truth, helps humanity to understand what God communicates through His creation and to ascend to God, the supreme Principle .