Several bishop-chairmen of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) committees penned a June 9 letter to leaders in the US Senate and House offering policy recommendations and ethical insights regarding artificial intelligence (AI).
“We are not technical experts, but pastors entrusted with concern for the life and dignity of the human person and the common good,” they wrote in the letter addressed to US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The bishops noted that lawmakers should consider the ethical principles of the dignity of the human person, care for the poor, and respect for truth when they form AI policy.
“AI is a tool that, when informed by sound moral principles, can help overcome many of life’s obstacles and improve the human condition,” the bishops said. “But this technology should supplement what human beings do, not replace them or their moral judgments. We also must avoid temptations toward transhumanism or equating AI itself with human life.”
They also noted how AI can be used to create fake videos of people and events.
“With the rise in ‘deepfakes,’ misuse of news and political information to manipulate public opinion, and the spread of falsehoods, AI is being used by some to undermine the dignity of persons and respect for the truth,” they wrote. “AI systems must have human oversight and well-defined accountability in order to promote transparency, and fair democratic processes.”
Under policy considerations, the bishops elaborated on family life; labor and the economy; healthcare, education, and political and civic life; warfare; and energy and the environment.
AI can be used to improve health and other aspects of society, but “its development has already introduced profound moral questions which affect integral human development and the authentic formation of the human person,” the bishops said. “If not thoughtfully regulated, it has even greater possibilities of further polarizing society and worsening inequalities.”
“For example, automated decision-making systems — used in areas such as employment screening, loan approvals, healthcare, public benefit screening, and immigration processing — can reinforce existing biases or introduce a utilitarian approach devoid of necessary human considerations, with potentially devastating consequences,” they noted.
When reflecting on policy related to family life, the bishops said that AI should be used to strengthen family living.
“Policies should ensure that AI does not promote or enhance morally offensive uses of reproductive technologies and genetic manipulation,” they wrote.
“Policies should also be enacted to protect children online and address the scourge of pornography, including ‘virtual child pornography,’” the bishops added.
Speaking about AI and the economy, the bishops called for intellectual property rights and data to be protected so as to help artists and creative endeavors.
The bishops also noted their longstanding concerns regarding the development and use of lethal autonomous weapons.
“Human control over any weapon system is essential to mitigate the horrors of warfare and the undermining of fundamental human rights,” they wrote.
Environmentally, the use of AI could require the use of massive amounts of resources and energy and produce electronic waste that contains mercury and lead, according to the bishops.
“We ask you to promote policies that encourage making AI searches and data centers more energy efficient and promote responsible water and component recycling,” they said.
The bishops explained that their list of concerns isn’t comprehensive. Their intention is to help lawmakers as they debate policy and action.
“We thank you for your consideration,” the bishops said. “Please be assured of our prayers and readiness to assist you in this important and timely work.”
The signatories include Bishop William Byrne, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Communications; Bishop David M. O’Connell, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Catholic Education; Archbishop of Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia Borys Gudziak, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; Bishop Robert Barron, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth; Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon Elias Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace; and Bishop Daniel Thomas, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.