The dialogue took place between scientists, ethicists, and theologians and focused on various aspects of AI risks, including the AI arms race.
A panel of experts considered the risks of an AI arms race between the United States and China. Whether the international rules-based order can limit this development. and how faith communities can respond.
Pastor Stavros Kofinas, moderator of the WCC Ecclesiastical Committee on Health and Healing, expressed his gratitude to the speakers and participants who collectively refused to accept simple answers.
He noted that AI is already having an impact. “health systems, research, governance, and the daily lives of people in many communities. ”
He also reflected on the urgency of the conversation in the church as well as the webinar. ““We’re right on the brink of that,” he said. “These developments should not be dismissed lightly. ”
Peter Kunert, co-chair of the Faith and Science Working Group under the WCC Church Commission on Health and Healing, moderated the discussion and asked the panelists the following questions: “How do you understand this time in human history?‘How will technological developments, and faith traditions, react? ”
Dr. Max Tegmark, president and co-founder of the Future of Life Institute, says asking overly generalized questions is “Are we for or against technology? ” This is similar to asking whether you are for or against fire.
“Of course we too‘For fire and hot meals to feed the hungry, and we‘oppose fire to burn down one’s neighbor‘‘s home,’ he said. “The question is: Can we take more leadership in ensuring that technology is used for good rather than evil? ”
Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Antje JackelpictureMr. N, a former archbishop of the Church of Sweden, said that if you consider that technology enabled the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the deaf to hear, this could be a symbol of the Messianic era.
““In principle, theologians should welcome technological advances that alleviate suffering, but technological advances are not morally neutral,” she said, asking the following questions: “Who benefits from certain technological advances in the short term, and who benefits in the long term? ”
Dr. Kenneth Mutata, WCC’s Life, Justice and Peace Program Director reflected that the ecumenical movement has been working and working on technological development for quite some time. “Long before AI, the Church was already asking, “What happens when human power exceeds human wisdom?”
Mtata pointed out that at the Stockholm Conference on Life and Work in 1925, church elders were confronted with the destructive nature of technology. ““Machines were seen as reshaping labor, cities, and economic systems,” he says. “Technological power without moral responsibility can threaten the entirety of human civilization. ”
Dr. Brian Green, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics Director of Technology Ethics santa clara university The State of California (USA) has raised questions and examples regarding oversight to ensure the safety and reliability of technology products. He also emphasized that the Roman Catholic Church has long been involved in a struggle between morality and technology. ““Pope Francis was very interested in the topic of AI,” Green said. “He got interested in it around 2015, so it was pretty early on. ”
of ““The Risks of General Artificial Intelligence: How Should Faith Communities Respond?” This webinar was part of an ongoing series on AI presented by the World Council of Churches.
Watch the entire webinar
