The topic sounded interesting. So, the other day, I attended a seminar held at the new location of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Lower Gwynedd. Well actually, I attended the webinar. Of course, attending virtually was rather appropriate, I suppose, since the forum was entitled, “The Pastoral Impact of Artificial Intelligence.” AI, algorithms, and pastoral ministry – how 21st Century! Fr. Neo and I are ready to take on the Matrix! Today, we are surrounded by and immersed in, what we call, “artificial intelligence.” We live in a world with GPS, smart homes, self-check-outs, curated music lists, and curated advertising. We’re told that AI is expanding exponentially since computers compute much faster and therefore “learn” much faster than we can. AI is already impacting the Church. One can pull up the Scripture readings on a cell at Mass and today’s seminarians can pray the Liturgy of the Hours in a similar way in the new chapel at the new Overbrook. Most parishes have their bulletins available online and some parishes have done away with paper bulletins altogether. I’m not aware of a parish that has AI compose its bulletin yet, but it’s probably in the works. The first speaker at the seminary forum pointed out immediately that some take issue with the term “artificial” intelligence, since it is usually understood that intelligence involves a rational being able to reason. Basically, I suppose that it comes down to the fact that human beings have thoughts and feelings (not to mention, souls), whereas machines do not. Machines can analyze data rather well, but they can’t emote. In a pastoral setting, AI could help one make a moral decision (think of a palliative care situation), but only a human being with mind, body, and soul could make the final decision. Otherwise, it is simply a statistical analysis which in a situation past would lead One to forgoing Cross and Crucifixion. AI is here to stay and it can certainly be very helpful – but it does have its limitations. GPS is a great tool without doubt, yet it seems that there was a greater sense of accomplishment having found one’s way after making use of that crinkled paper map stored in the glove compartment. Jesus already knew the limitations of AI. Maybe that’s why He came among us when He did some two thousand years before its advent. Algorithms are the key to AI, but algorithms can be confused. Again, Jesus knew this long before there was such a term in our modern sense. He loved to throw off the “algorithms” of the Scribes and the Pharisees. Often enough times, He throws off ours as well. Crucifixion and death are a statistical “dead end” for our modern-day GPS algorithms of intelligence artificial tasked with finding the “best route” to our destination – unless One happens to be the very Son of God! The seminary seminar was rather interesting, but the discussion of the interaction of human intelligence (authentic) with machine intelligence (artificial) and its pastoral applications will continue well into the future. Just know that as such discussions continue Jesus is the definitive Way always showing us the best possible “route.”
Peace!
Fr. Wilson