Artificial Intelligence, Terrifying or Creative Double-Edge Tool?
In an address at a G7 Summit recently in Italy, the Holy Father, Pope Francis pointed out to Leaders of the most economically advanced countries the threat and promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), namely the good, the bad and the ugly sides. Among others, the Pope cited the dangers associated with ‘techno-human condition’ and the “human versus algorithmic” decision-making processes being entrusted to machines.
The Catholic Standard this week is drawing attention to this subject and to the Pope’s concerns, because of the incredibly, fascinating possibilities posed by AI technology, but also its terrifying creative fears, unless tamed. Only a few weeks ago, The Catholic Standard had the privilege of participating in the “75th World News Media Congress”, organized by the WAN-IFRA (the World Association of Newspapers) held in Copenhagen, Denmark. These same concerns about AI and its impact were extensively discussed, with particular reference to the media.
Simply defined Artificial Intelligence is a technological tool or an algorithm that uses repetitive skills and complex analytic capability to handle very complicated tasks, which otherwise will require human intelligence for several years or decades. AI can perform tasks quickly and accurately, unmatched by human intelligence. What we human beings, however, must bear in mind is that strictly speaking the so-called ‘generative artificial intelligence’ is not after all ‘generative’ – In other words, AI does not develop new analyses or concepts but rather “repeats those that it finds, and merely gives them an appealing form. Thus, today AI is extensively deployed and used in such human endeavors, as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. For example, thanks to AI, the world of bio-pharmacology science was able to discover the vaccine against COVID-19 in a record time, when the pandemic hit in 2019, and thus saved millions of lives.
Undoubtedly, AI has enormous advantages, especially in enhanced efficiency and other positive aspects, to improve education, agricultural production, health delivery, trade and industry: In the field of education, so called “Augmented Learning-virtual Tutors” and personalized learning systems can adapt to individual learning styles and needs, making teaching and learning a more engaging and an effective experience. Even here in Ghana, many students are increasingly relying on AI for help with their studies, especially the writing of essays and theses. This reliance, in fact, is undermining the very process of education, to the extent that increased dependence on technology ends up diminishing critical thinking capabilities.
However, AI is not without its disadvantages in terms of negative fallouts, like potential job losses, erosion of human creativity and the exponential widening of the technological gap between advanced countries and developing nations. Above all, AI raises serious ethical concerns never imagined: the unethical manipulation of election outcomes using AI to deceive and undermine voter choices, through convincing AI-generated narratives. Further ethical concerns involve privacy, surveillance and the perpetuation of biases that exist in AI data-fed systems. An example in the media, musical and the political worlds is the use of deep-fake technology to create real, actual-looking video/audio footage of ‘persons’ speaking or performing.
This Paper supports the Pope in his advice: that important decisions must “always be left to the human person,” and not to machines. He has made a particular reference to the development of lethal autonomous weapons (LAW) – which can take human life without human input, and which weaponry the Holy Father insists must ultimately be banned. Lethal autonomous weapons are suspected to have currently been deployed in ongoing conflicts, unfortunately killing innocent victims, including own soldiers. It is sad that we humans are choosing not to optimize human capability, but rather permitting machines to mediate our very existence.
According to Pope Francis, it is unpardonable that humans should cede the power of choice to an algorithm. Such a choice degrades our sense of humanity and the very concept of human dignity. That capacity granted to AI systems, namely delegating massive decisional powers to machines independent of humans, is terrifying, to say the least.
Hence, The Catholic Standard unconditionally agrees with the Holy Father that the entire world should begin a discussion on setting up guardrails and ethical standards to rein in AI systems, such that AI is optimized to enrich our lives, rather than to diminish the very existential essence of humans. His call for a general political will to deal decisively with the challenges and promises of artificial intelligence is propitious. As usual, Pope Francis is reading the signs of the times by his concerns, fears and declarations; just as he did with global environment through his encyclical: Laudato Si.
There is no denying that Artificial Intelligence is fast changing our lives, either for the better or worse. The good news, however, as found in a recent survey by the Forbes indicates that many Americans still trust humans over AI, by a large percentage. Most of those surveyed think that people would do a better job of administering medicine, writing laws, and even choosing gifts, just to name a few.
To say that AI is a problem for only future generations ignores the reality in front of us: Our everyday lives are already being influenced on a scale hard to imagine, in terms of AI-generated misinformation and dis-information. As one speaker at the WAN-IFRA Congress asked: “How do we prevent even more polarization than what currently exists due to AI tools ‘giving users what they prefer’ politically, technologically, and in advertisements? AI as a propaganda engine is dangerous, and we are already beginning to witness its effects.” Are we not already facing negative outcomes, as today’s AI systems determine our human decision-making processes at multiple levels: namely our decisions on viewing habits to purchasing, our political opinions and our social values, like LGBTQ+?
AI technologies have irresistibly become integrated with our lives and societal systems. And like all new technologies, AI development holds promise and perils in its potential misuse, abuse and worst, malicious applications. Presently, in their largely, unregulated and unfettered form, AI systems are scary. With their expansive, deepfake capabilities, AI systems pose clear and present danger for ‘reality’. A clear, robust regulatory framework is a necessary oversight for accountability on the part of industry and governments. Only regulations can ensure that AI is developed and used in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and in the best interest of humankind, the concern of Pope Francis.
For this Paper, it should not be the case where America innovates, China replicates, Europe regulates and Africa only consumes. We have a role to play to protect our values even in the wake of modern technological advancements.
It is for these reasons that, The Catholic Standard calls on African Governments, and our Ghana Government in particular, to show more than cursory interest in this new phenomenon of AI technology and systems. At world conferences and UN fora, let their voices be heard louder than before. Being developing countries, with more to lose than advanced countries, the least our governments can do is not only to hear, but also to be heard on, AI-related matters affecting our lives.
