AI - Ethics

In today's world, the debate on whether AI itself is good or bad is totally in the hands of the driver. If the driver is good, then AI will be used for good, and if the driver is bad, then examples of AI being used in warfare are evident to us. We have seen monstrous development in technology, but alas, still no significant work is done on controlling the monster. History shows us the example of J. Robert Oppenheimer who invented the atomic bomb; however, later he confessed, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds,” highlighting how knowledge without a firm moral hand can harm humanity. On the other hand, we have also seen science doing wonders in medicine, technology and serving humanity. Weak knowledge with strong morals can do more good than strong knowledge with bad morals.

A wonderful example is Pope Francis, who is, interestingly, also remembered as an AI ethicist, as he raised a moral voice on AI being used for human dignity and not just for corporate efficiency. He rolled out the Rome Call for AI Ethics with players like Microsoft, IBM and the Italian government, highlighting the ethical use of AI with guided principles like transparency, inclusion, accountability, reliability and security. Pope Francis also became the first pontiff to address a G7 Summit on AI Ethics in June 2024. He also bridged religious ethics and secular ethics.