The Catholic Church in Asia recently turned to AI to create a document for use by the broader Church in order that its members could “walk together” more closely.
The official Vatican media, Vatican News, has published a report revealing that synod organizers in Asia used artificial intelligence to assist prepare the ultimate document, in accordance with the Catholic news website The Pillar.
A synod is an assembly of “traditionally bishops” that helps the church “go together in the identical direction,” notes the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation.
The word “synod” comes from the Greek word syn-hodos, meaning “the identical way” or “the identical path”.
The Asia Continental Synodal Assembly was held in Bangkok, Thailand, February 24-26 as a part of the worldwide synodal process.
A synod on synodality can be held in Rome in October, Vatican News reports.
The Asian continental assembly was “the primary of the continental assemblies to make use of digital technologies to gather amendments and input from participants,” Vatican News also reported.
Fr. Clarence Devadass, a Malaysian priest who previously served as a consultor in the Dicastery for Stage issued by the Vatican.”
![The Catholic Church in Asia has used artificial intelligence to evaluate a synodal document, Vatican News reports.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/GettyImages-482450838.jpg?w=1024)
He noticed that after each discussion session, the groups submitted a summary of their responses via Google Forms.
After receiving the information, the responses were entered into the AI software.
Then a command was issued, such as “From the reply below, highlight common themes” – or “Which answers are specific to just one specific group?”
One other command given was that, said Fr. Devadass: “What are the highest data priorities?”
People then reviewed the AI-generated data for any inaccuracies, Fr. Devadass also said.
The priest continued: “We will safely say that it has been effective in sorting the information and choosing keywords, but it surely must be monitored by human resources to be sure that the information accurately reflects the mood of the house.”
He also told The Pillar, “What would have taken hours was done in minutes. Nevertheless, to make sure the fairness of the answers, members of the editorial board re-checked them later against “raw data”.
Nevertheless, a South Carolina priest told Fox News Digital that any development and/or use of AI “should always be subject to the human person.”
“Our biggest asset as a human family is the power to ascertain and construct relationships,” said Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Indian Land, South Carolina.
![development and/or use of artificial intelligence](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/vfdvdsd.png?w=1024)
“Only by loving and being loved can we all know the worth and purpose of life. It’s love that sparks creativity,” said Kirby, who also hosts the every day religious program “The Morning Offer with Father Kirby.”
“Artificial intelligence could have a limited place in society, but it surely should always serve human ingenuity and creativity. It cannot usurp the place that belongs to the human mind and heart,” he added.
“Sometimes we will forget in regards to the ‘artificiality’ in AI” – Fr. Kirby said.
“Artificial” is removed from what’s natural and authentic. As human beings, we live in a world of relationships marked by love, hope, thanksgiving and mutual accompaniment of others,” he also said.
“Our hearts and relationships are real,” he continued. “There may be nothing artificial in regards to the real and meaningful things of human life.”
Kirby added: “The Bible teaches us that we were made in the image and likeness of God, not in the image of artificial intelligence. We cannot allow artificial intelligence to steal what’s human.”
He also said: “Our relationship with one another, giving and receiving love, our exchange of ideas and our ability to learn from one another cannot get replaced by artificial intelligence.”
Kirby said, “AI doesn’t belong to the synodal process. The method itself is “speaking heart to heart”. The synodal process is about exchanging ideas, perspectives and life experiences.”
He added: “The usage of artificial intelligence in the synodal process is the very death of the authentic process itself.”
Fr. Kirby said, “Synoodality is about real human relationships and interactions. AI has no place in the synodal process.”
The top of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis met in March with scientists and experts from the world of technology and representatives of the Church at a gathering organized by the Vatican Dicastery for Education and Culture, Radio Veritas Asia reported.
![Pope Francis said that the growth of scientific and technological innovation must be accompanied](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/GettyImages-1486612246.jpg?w=1024)
The pope said that an actual increase in scientific and technological innovation have to be accompanied by “greater equity and social inclusion,” the outlet notes.
“The concept of inherent human dignity requires us to acknowledge and respect the undeniable fact that the elemental value of an individual can’t be measured by data alone,” he said.
While the pope praised the advantages of artificial intelligence, he warned against using AI “unethically or irresponsibly,” the paper reads.