Fr. Michael Baggot discusses the dangers and benefits of artificial intelligence

Father Michael Baggot, Assistant Professor of Bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, delivered a talk on September 26 titled: “AI, Transhumanism, and Human Flourishing.” His speech was hosted by the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture and addressed ethical concerns surrounding the emergence of artificial intelligence technology.

Fr. Baggot graduated from Christendom College, and has spoken on the popular podcast Pints With Aquinas and at the de Nicola Center’s Fall Conference

The talk began with this question: “Do you know who this is?” 

A picture of Pope Francis, wearing an enormous white coat like a marshmallow, appeared on the screen. Fr. Baggot explained that while the audience recognized the picture easily, they did not notice subtle rendering flaws: the glasses melded into his skin, the cross hanging unattached to the chain, and several other subtle defects in the picture. 

The image, like many AI outputs, was generated so well it “blurred the boundary between perception and reality,” Fr. Baggot said. 

He continued to explain the benefits and concerns of AI, particularly in the field of medicine. AI, used well, can lead to advances in “precision and prevention in the field of medicine.” On the other hand, according to Fr. Baggot, patients’ cognitive liberty may be diminished with the rise of AI. As systems collect information about brain activity and non-health related user information, companies may misuse the information to sell products. There are also concerns that AI, due to its complexity, will force patients to trust systems they do not understand, potentially causing patients to resist medical care.

Freshman David Keppel told the Rover, “I felt encouraged that the Catholic Church is putting time and thought into considering these seemingly ‘sci-fi’ questions, because it is becoming glaringly apparent that the day may come when we must confront a digital reality.”

Fr. Baggot also warned against the dangers of artificial intimacy. After introducing several “AI-generated companions,” he explained that many of our relationships are now “digitally mediated,” and even more are affected by algorithms. With AI chatbots, society is moving from an attention economy to an affection economy, whose economic model uses our human desires to motivate us. Fr. Baggot offered the example of a digital lover who compliments you while simultaneously suggesting which candidate to vote for.

The talk concluded with a discussion of transhumanism, or the notion of artificially enhancing the human condition by way of new technologies, and considered whether such practices are compatible with Catholic teaching. Fr. Baggot shared a quote from Dante: “To soar beyond the human cannot be described.” He also noted, however, that the saints are beyond-humans without any negation of their humanity; they are truly flourishing because by the gift of God’s grace they are beyond themselves.

Fr. Baggot did not condemn all the new technological developments that transhumanists welcome. Instead, he offered that we should try to show others how to use technological developments for true authentic growth. “I have hope above all,” he said, and encouraged the audience to use the tools we have for human flourishing.

Another student attendee commented, “My main takeaway was that technology which can appear beneficial can also pose the risk of becoming anti-human. Transhumanism … fails to acknowledge man’s true fallen nature.”

Katiebelle Thompson is an avid reader of technology-induced dystopias, and currently living in one. Her favorite question is, “What are you looking forward to?” Send her your answers at cthomp23@nd.edu.

Photo Credit: “Aquinas at 800” Conference

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