Cardinal Fernández discusses AI ethics and faith transmission

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, recently addressed the implications of the encyclical ‘Magnifica humanitas’ and announced upcoming Vatican documentation.

Speaking at an event organized by Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Fernández discussed the encyclical’s focus on human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. He noted that while AI offers significant benefits in fields like medicine, there must be clear responsibilities to protect humanity. He emphasized that technological progress should not ignore human limits, stating that ‘humanity prospers through limits.’ He also touched upon the risks AI poses to the poor and the need to move beyond theories of ‘just war’ that involve preventive strikes with collateral damage.

Additionally, Fernández announced that his dicastery will publish a document in October regarding the ‘transmission of the faith.’ Requested by Pope Francis, the text aims to address the breakdown of intergenerational faith transmission in various countries. The upcoming document will explore the quality of community in evangelization and seek ways to proclaim the Gospel in an attractive manner to encourage encounters with the faith.