Vatican calls for the democratization of artificial intelligence!

Vatican calls for the democratization of artificial intelligence!

The Vatican guidelines on artificial intelligence (AI) were viewed by media specialists as groundbreaking and very modern. The Viennese media and social ethicist Alexander Filipovic praised the document “Antiqua et nova” in a guest article for the portal communion.de as a worthwhile contribution to the current debate about AI. The published guidelines denounce the concentration of power in the hands of a few technology companies and call for the democratization of AI to ensure that this technology serves the common good. Filipovic explained that what is crucial is how we can design AI to use it for good, rather than being dominated by technological developments.

Challenges and ethical perspectives

Filipovic emphasized that the document comprehensively reflects the opportunities and challenges of AI. It would be too short-sighted to just focus on warning voices that warn about the risks of the technology. Rather, the paper reflects a differentiated perspective that points out that technology is never neutral, but rather changes reality through its use. “AI does not control us, we can use it for positive purposes,” said Filipovic, who emphasized that technocratic power structures often lurk behind the supposed neutrality of technology. This finding is particularly relevant in light of the recent reactions of major tech companies to the latest Chinese AI, “DeepSeek,” which highlights the urgent need to democratize AI technology.

Particularly noteworthy is the paper's repeated emphasis on human dignity as an ethical guideline. This shows that respect for human dignity as a protective principle is also becoming increasingly important in the church context. The document was written jointly by the Vatican Authority for Faith under Cardinal Víctor Fernández and the Authority for Culture and Education under Cardinal José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça and is aimed at various actors, including individuals, families, companies, as well as governments and international organizations. The aim is to use AI for the common good, as well katholisch.at reported.