Religion & the tech revolution

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Pope Leo on AI: Tips to navigate the next tech revolution

Pope Leo issued a warning about the latest technology experts say will revolutionize the economy, job market and even our personal relationships: artificial intelligence.

In a recent address to participants at a conference on the new technology, the first American pontiff said artificial intelligence poses serious ethical concerns about its impacts on humanity. Leo emphasized that it must always safeguard the human person.

Young people "must be helped, not hindered, on their path to maturity and responsibility," he said, according to the Vatican.

"The ability to access vast amounts of data and information should not be confused with the ability to derive meaning and value from it," the pope said.

"The well-being of society," he said, depends on young people's "ability to develop their talents and respond to the demands of the times and the needs of others, with generosity and freedom of mind."

The pope said the development of AI should be a collaborative effort involving many industries, including business, finance, education and faith communities.

Questions Pope Leo poses about AI

Pope Leo acknowledged that AI is already impacting millions of people daily and certain aspects of the human, such as critical thinking, discernment, learning and interpersonal relationships. He urged people to ask some fundamental questions to ensure AI is being used properly.

The pope offered examples. "How can we ensure that the development of artificial intelligence truly serves the common good, and is not just used to accumulate wealth and power in the hands of a few?"

Another question he posed was, "What does it mean to be human in this moment of history?"

Pope Leo emphasized that "human beings are called to be co-workers in the work of creation, not merely passive consumers of content generated by artificial technology."

"Artificial intelligence has certainly opened up new horizons for creativity, but it also raises serious concerns about its possible repercussions on humanity's openness to truth and beauty, and capacity for wonder and contemplation," he said.

"Recognizing and safeguarding what characterizes the human person and guarantees his or her balanced growth," he underlined, "is essential for establishing an adequate framework for managing the consequences of artificial intelligence."

AI Christian 'singer' Solomon Ray stirs ethical debate

Solomon Ray reached the iTunes Top 100 Christian and gospel albums chart in November. But there's something that may bother you about the Christian artist. He is not human.

According to Christianity Today, Ray was entirely created by artificial intelligence. That includes his voice, performance style, lyrics and persona.

His most recent album is called "A Soulful Christmas," and it features tracks with titles like "Soul to the World" and "Jingle Bell Soul."

AI-generated music is a new frontier

Solomon Ray is not unique. AI-generated music is a new frontier in the entertainment world, and artists, industry insiders, and consumers are trying to adapt.

Xania Monet became the first AI-powered virtual artist to debut on a Billboard airplay chart. That sparked debate about the role of technology in the music industry.

Some platforms are taking actions. In September, Spotify announced protections against the impersonation of artists and deceptive content. The company acknowledged both the positive and negative sides of AI in music.

"At its best, AI is unlocking incredible new ways for artists to create music and for listeners to discover it," Spotify said. "At its worst, AI can be used by bad actors and content farms to confuse or deceive listeners, push 'slop' into the ecosystem, and interfere with authentic artists working to build their careers.

Christian singer Forrest Frank addressed the ethical pitfalls of AI in a social media post where he warned consumers.

"At minimum, AI does not have the Holy Spirit inside of it," Frank said. "So I think that it's really weird to be opening up your spirit to something that has no spirit."

How is AI-generated music made?

AI-generated music is produced using algorithms that learn patterns from huge amounts of musical data. From this training, the AI can create new melodies, harmonies, rhythms, lyrics, or even full songs on its own.

Some AI tools make music from scratch, others help musicians co-compose, and others allow people with no musical background to create professional-quality tracks.

This newsletter is written by Susie Pinto.

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