By Philip Nwosu
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, has reiterated the message of the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, calling on the world not to entirely reject the technological advancements brought about by the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He also said the world must avoid idolising it to the extent that its shortcomings are overlooked.
He warned that if caution is not exercised in its use, humanity may reach a point where the human person plays second fiddle to it. According to the Catholic archbishop of Lagos, artificial intelligence is a creation of humans, and if used inappropriately, it could relegate humans to a secondary role in the advancement of society.
Martins stressed the need to strike a balance between rejecting and accepting AI, advocating for regulations that ensure AI development ultimately serves the cause of human fraternity and peace.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the 2024 World Communication Day, Martins said artificial intelligence can positively contribute to the communications sector, provided it does not diminish the role of journalism on the ground but rather supports it.
In his message read during the Mass for the World Communication Day 2024, Pope Francis emphasised the global scale of artificial intelligence development, emphasising the need for sovereign nations to internally regulate its use. He suggested that international organisations play a crucial role in reaching multilateral agreements and coordinating their application and enforcement.
The Pope urged the global community of nations to collaborate in adopting a binding international treaty regulating the development and use of artificial intelligence in its various forms.
He said such regulation should aim not only to prevent harmful practices but also to encourage best practices by promoting new and creative approaches and fostering individual or group initiatives.
Entitled: “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards Fully Human Communication,” the Pope’s message raised several questions regarding the introduction of AI.
He asked: “How do we safeguard professionalism and the dignity of workers in the fields of information and communication, together with that of users throughout the world? How do we ensure the interoperability of platforms? How do we hold businesses that develop digital platforms accountable for content and advertising, similar to the editors of traditional communications media?”
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