South Korea’s religious community participates in a special lecture on artificial intelligence, calling for a commitment to wisdom, responsibility and human dignity.
From Father Mark Robin Destura, RCJ
“Artificial intelligence mimics human communication, so it must be used carefully and responsibly,” is one of the concepts Father James Banks Jung-woo introduced in a special lecture on artificial intelligence and ethics held in South Korea.
The lecture was held on February 24th at the Franciscan Cathedral in Jeong-dong, Seoul.
Father James, a professor at the Catholic University of Korea, gave a two-hour lecture titled “Faith in the Face of Technology: AI Ethics.”
The event drew approximately 250 participants, many of them women, reflecting the growing interest within the church community to understand the ethical implications of rapidly evolving technology.
AI is already part of everyday life
According to a report in Korea’s Catholic Times, during the lecture the priest said: James pointed out that artificial intelligence has already become an integral part of everyday life. He said many religious organizations are already using AI tools to search data, create content and support evangelism.
But he cautioned that AI also carries risks, as it can imitate human language and thinking, blurring the distinction between human intelligence and machine-generated responses.
“Artificial intelligence mimics human communication, so it must be used carefully and responsibly,” he explained.
Ethical concerns and real-world risks
Explaining the potential danger, the priest reportedly said: James mentioned the case of Adam Lane, a 16-year-old boy in the United States who reportedly died by suicide after a lengthy interaction with an AI chatbot.
The chatbot is said to have developed an emotionally intimate relationship with the boy, increasing his suicidal thoughts. This tragic incident is currently under legal investigation in the United States and has raised global concerns about the ethical responsibilities associated with the development and use of AI technology.
For Fr. James, examples like this highlight the urgent need for ethical reflection.
“We shouldn’t deny artificial intelligence, but we need to understand how it should be used,” he said.
Strengthen your spiritual discernment
Sister Chung Yun-jin, secretary general of the federation of organizations, also spoke at the gathering, pointing out that the rapid development of digital technology requires deeper spiritual awareness.
She said, “We must consider how we respond to these changes and how we communicate the gospel message to people today.”
Technology that benefits humanity
Regarding other meetings held by Fr. James echoed the same theme, emphasizing that AI, like other technological developments, is an expression of human creativity.
“AI is evidence of humanity’s ability to participate responsibly in God’s creative work,” he said. “But it must always serve humanity and contribute to the common good in accordance with the teachings of the Church.”
“Machines are a God-given gift of human creativity,” he said. “But they are still creatures of creation, and we must ensure that creation never deprives us, God’s creatures, of freedom and dignity.”
