In The Terminator movie franchise as well as the popular The 100 television series human beings face extinction when artificial intelligence (AI) becomes self-aware and determines human beings must be exterminated.  While AI may not be at that point, we have to remember some things considered science fiction once have become reality.  From air and space travel, to powerful computers the size of  wrist-watches, technology is constantly evolving.

Pope Francis tackled the promise and potential problems of Artificial Intelligence in his Word Day of Peace Message issued on January 1, 2024, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The Holy Father reflected on the unchartered terrain of machines that “learn”, the military weaponizing of AI, and the challenges of AI in the educational sphere.

“We rightly rejoice and give thanks for the impressive achievements of science and technology, as a result of which countless ills that formerly plagued human life and caused great suffering have been remedied,” Pope Francis said.  “At the same time, techno-scientific advances, by making it possible to exercise hitherto unprecedented control over reality, are placing in human hands a vast array of options, including some that may pose a risk to our survival and endanger our common home,” he said.

The Pope went on to explain how growth in this type of technology needs to walk in step with appropriate education in responsibility for its future development.  “We thus have a duty to broaden our gaze and to direct techno-scientific research towards the pursuit of peace and the common good,” said the Pontiff.

One area not directly addressed by the Pope’s message is the impact AI has and can potentially have on human relationships and family life.  For example, it’s no secret AI technology is used increasingly in dating websites.  Artificial Intelligence is helping us find mates. Basic human interaction has moved into the social media sphere and AI tracks who you are following and when.  When it comes to our children and teens, AI tracks and stores our kids social and other media use and uses it to target them for advertising.

Since it would be unfair to write a story about Artificial Intelligence without asking it for its input, I opened up the chat AI on Microsoft Bing and asked it a couple of questions.

First, “How can artificial intelligence help family life?” the chat bot processed the question for 2 seconds and responded. “Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize family life in many ways. For instance AI-powered personal assistants can help parents manage their daily routines, such as setting reminders for appointments, creating shopping lists, and even ordering groceries,” says Bing Chat.  Hmm, not bad.

“AI can also help parents monitor their children’s online activities and ensure their safety by blocking inappropriate content,” it continued. “Overall, AI has the potential to make family life more efficient, safe, and enjoyable. However, it is important to use AI responsibly and ethically, and to ensure that it does not replace human interaction and empathy,” the AI bot responded.

Second question, “How can AI harm family life?”  It responded, “There are concerns that AI could be something of a double-edged sword, especially when it comes to kids,” Bing Chat continued. “Risks range from privacy and safety issues to psychological and behavioral effects, according to a report by UNICEF and the World Economic Forum.”  The chat bot went on…  “For example, AI algorithms may not be able to understand the nuances of human emotions and may not be able to provide the same level of emotional support as a human care giver,” it said. May not? Artificial intelligence will never replace human beings when it comes to emotional support. 

“Furthermore, there are concerns that AI development may result in a nuclear-level catastrophe,” expanded the AI chat bot. “It is important to be aware of the potential risks and challenges associated with AI and to take steps to mitigate them,” it said. It’s important to note that each response comes with attribution to websites were the AI found the source material used in its responses, but what if the source material was created with AI too?  The authenticity, legitimacy or truth about whatever issue is being researched becomes very questionable. It’s a conundrum.
 
There is no doubt that Artificial Intelligence is here to stay.  So the next question becomes, how can AI be used for the common good and for the good of marriage and family life?  To start, the web needs large quantities of positive and Christ centered content about the topics. Catholic and Christian content creators need to flood the internet with solid pro-marriage, and pro-family articles, blogs, and video. AI needs to be educated.

As far as further technological development of Artificial Intelligence, the direction AI takes is in the hands of the people working in the industry.  The end result will only be as good as the people behind the programming.  Pope Francis rightly noted, “We need to remember that scientific research and technological innovations are not disembodied and “neutral”, but subject to cultural influences, Pope Francis said.

Artificial Intelligence, like other innovations will need God loving people with the well-formed consciences and morality only an active faith life can offer so AI can truly serve humanity.  AI has the potential to be a great help for marriage and family life, but without God, it will simply be another way marriage further deteriorates, another way children will be neglected, and another way our elders are dehumanized. Humanity has the potential to become more united with AI, or it can become more alienated, self-serving, and cold.  AI can be just one more thing human beings use to replace God and in fact make a deity out of it. 

In the post-apocalyptic worlds of science fiction stories, it’s common that survivors frequently end up killing each other.  That part can’t be blamed on AI, that’s a problem of the human heart. There is concupiscence there that makes us vulnerable to sin. Knowledge of God and our desire to be with him will make all the difference in whether Artificial Intelligence will be a friend or a foe.