杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

杏MAP导航 Francis has released his message for the , focusing on the theme: Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication.

Celebrated on 12 May, this year's theme is closely linked to the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 message for the World Day of Peace, which was devoted to the development of systems of artificial intelligence (AI).

AI is 鈥渞adically affecting the world of information and communication, and through it, certain foundations of life in society,鈥� says the 杏MAP导航 in his Communications Day message, adding that 鈥渢hese changes affect everyone.鈥�

So, the 杏MAP导航 asks, 鈥渉ow can we remain fully human and guide this cultural transformation to serve a good purpose?鈥�

Starting with the heart

In answering this question, the Holy Father notes that 鈥渁t this time in history, which risks becoming rich in technology and poor in humanity, our reflections must begin with the human heart.鈥�

He recalls that, in the Bible, the heart is seen as the place of freedom and decision-making, "symbolising integrity and unity, while also engaging our emotions, desires, and dreams."

But, he continues, the heart is, above all, 鈥渢he inward place of our encounter with God."

鈥淲isdom of the heart, then, is the virtue that enables us to integrate the whole and its parts, our decisions and their consequences, our nobility and our vulnerability, our past and our future, our individuality and our membership within a larger community," says the 杏MAP导航.

Opportunity and danger

The Holy Father goes on to stress that such wisdom cannot be sought from machines.

Although the term "artificial intelligence" has replaced the term "machine learning," he said, 鈥渢he very use of the word 'intelligence' can prove misleading."

The 杏MAP导航 explained that it is not enough to be able to store data, like machines do, but that this data must be made sense of, and 鈥渉uman beings alone鈥� are capable of this.

鈥淒epending on the inclination of the heart, everything within our reach becomes either an opportunity or a threat,鈥� warns the 杏MAP导航.

He notes that the technology of simulation behind AI algorithms can be useful in certain specific fields.

However, he adds, the use of AI becomes 鈥減erverse when it distorts our relationship with others and with reality.鈥�

In fact, it is extremely important to know that in the wrong hands, such tools could lead to 鈥渄isturbing scenarios.鈥�

Artificial Intelligence must be regulated, asserts 杏MAP导航 Francis, acknowledging that, as in every human context, 鈥渞egulation is, of itself, not sufficient.鈥�

Growth in humanity

杏MAP导航 Francis then invites everyone to grow together, 鈥渋n humanity and as humanity,鈥� recalling that we are all challenged to make a qualitative leap in order to become 鈥渁 complex, multiethnic, pluralistic, multireligious, and multicultural society.鈥�

Speaking of information, the Holy Father warns that 鈥渋nformation cannot be separated from living relationships.鈥�

He explains that relationships involve the body and an immersion into the real world, but that they also involve human experiences, "compassion, and sharing.鈥�

With this in mind, 杏MAP导航 Francis refers to the many reporters who have been injured or killed in the line of duty as they attempted to show the world what they themselves had seen.

鈥淔or only by such direct contact with the suffering of children, women, and men can we come to appreciate the absurdity of war," says the 杏MAP导航.

Questions for today and for the future

Bringing his message for World Communications Day to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalls that 鈥渋t is up to us to decide whether we will become fodder for algorithms or will nourish our hearts with that freedom without which we cannot grow in wisdom.鈥�

Only together, he concludes, can we increase our capacity for discernment and vigilance and for seeing things in the light of their fulfilment.

杏MAP导航 Francis then prays that humanity may never lose its bearings, and that the wisdom that was present before all modern technology may return to us.

Wisdom, says the 杏MAP导航, can help us 鈥渢o put systems of artificial intelligence at the service of a fully human communication.鈥�