May it Be Human: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and the Pope

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May it Be Human: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and the Pope.  This week, the Pope issued a remarkable statement about artificial intelligence (“AI”) and robotics, and their potential impact on the world. 

A link follows:

https://twitter.com/pontifex/status/1324377181296848896?s=21

For the leader of a famously conservative institution, Pope Francis is keen on the advance of the scientific arts – especially AI and robotics -- and is acutely alive to their promises and perils.

For some years, the Vatican has been studying how best to develop artificial intelligence in an ethical and responsible manner.  You can read about its initiatives in the following article:

https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/2/28/21157760/pope-vatican-artificial-intelligence  

These initiatives have accelerated in 2020.  Earlier this year, Pope Francis called together the leaders of Microsoft, IBM and others to discuss the ethics of artificial intelligence, robotics, and other technologies.  (Microsoft CEO Brad Smith and Carol Ann Browne wrote about it in their book, Tools and Weapons: The Promise and the Peril of the Digital Age.)

The conferees agreed upon the “Rome Call for AI Ethics,” urging that “AI systems must be conceived, designed and implemented to serve and protect human beings and the environment in which they live,” by ensuring that AI systems are developed with (1) transparency; (2) inclusion; (3) responsibility; (4) impartiality; (5) reliability; and (6) security and privacy. 

Regarding this week’s statement, the transcription of Pope Francis’ remarks reads as follows.  (The emphasis is ours):

“Artificial intelligence is at the heart of the epochal change we are experiencing.  Robotics can make a better world possible if it is joined to the common good.   

“Indeed, if technological progress produces inequalities, it is not true progress.

“Future advances should be oriented towards respecting the dignity of the person and of Creation. Let us pray that the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may always serve humankind…

“… We may say, ‘Let it be human.’” 

Amen!

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Hosch & Morris, PLLC is a Dallas-based boutique law firm dedicated to data protection, privacy, the Internet and technology. Open the Future℠.