Artificial intelligence writes the first eight paragraphs below as well as the closing prayer
By George Valadie
Wow, it was a lot! I’m talking about the deep dive I took recently into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). You’d think I was gearing up for a Ph.D. in computer science, but no, just trying to figure out what AI might mean for our Catholic faith.
Trust me, it’s a lot more than robots vacuuming our floors (though, I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind one of those). AI is evolving rapidly, and it’s not just about conveniences—it’s about big changes that could impact how we live, work, and yes, even pray.
Take for instance, the AI-driven virtual pastors that are being developed.
Imagine an app that could listen to your struggles and offer advice based on Scripture, the Catechism, or the writings of the saints—without your ever having to step inside a confessional. Convenient? Sure. A little unsettling? You bet. I think I’d still prefer the real deal when it comes to my soul.
Another example: AI is being designed to help create personalized prayer plans. The software would learn about your life, your daily routine, and tailor prayer prompts specifically for you.
Sounds handy, right? But it does make you wonder—are we outsourcing our spiritual lives to machines? Would we still make the same effort if a computer was reminding us when to pray?
As Catholics, we’re always balancing faith with the fast pace of the world around us. AI is just the latest thing to challenge that balance. How we respond will say a lot about the role technology plays in our spiritual lives. So, let’s think about it—what would St. Augustine say about AI-powered confession apps?
Now, that’s a homily I’d love to hear!
*****
And yes, it was a lot! Mind-blowing actually.
In a keynote address at a recent conference I attended for Catholic school superintendents, we heard from an AI expert.
He offered a quote we can debate, but I think we’ll lose. “We will experience more technological progress in the coming decade than we did in the preceding 100 years put together.”
Think about that! The last 100 years! Can that really be? The hundred-year span that gave birth to the moon landing, smartphones, and open-heart surgery. The laptop, the microwave, the internet, and self-driving cars … heck, even Post-it notes were a pretty darn cool invention.
But the next 10 years will see more than all of that—combined? What in the world! How in the world!
And yes, some of it’s already here—and incredibly scary. Most of us have seen—though we might not know we did—the “deepfake” videos that are as real-life as well … real life. People you know apparently being captured on video telling you things you can’t help but believe. After all, you just watched them say it. But they weren’t actually captured, and they never actually said it.
All is the creation of AI.
School leaders live in fear of just such a fake going viral, supposedly catching him/her in the midst of foul or insulting language igniting a community-wide firestorm that’s virtually impossible to extinguish. None of it real; all of it evil.
Well, at least all of that would be evil.
But in the recently released Tom Hanks movie, “Here,” artificial intelligence was used to de-age him and his co-star Robin Wright. Hanks, now 67, appears in the movie as if he was 21 again. He can be in movies forever.
OMG, what exactly can this stuff do?
Or perhaps better phrased, what can it not do?
There are a variety of AI apps; you just need to find the one that does what you need. Type in a request for a photo, and it will create one. Need a song? It will write one. Video? Obviously.
There are eyeglasses with built-in cameras in the frames that see what your eyes see. Picture this in a classroom—or anywhere. The student is looking at a test. They talk to their glasses, “What’s the answer to #1?” It talks back through the pieces that hang over their ears.
Or maybe it’s not about cheating at all. Maybe the student is home studying, trying to make sense of a photosynthesis worksheet the teacher provided a week ago. “Please summarize and ask me five quiz questions on the material?” And voila!
And of course, you can ask it to write text for you. Outlines and essays, resumes and e-mails … and newspaper columns. Just like this one.
Go back to the top. ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) wrote the first eight paragraphs of this column right up to the asterisk break in the page.
It just needed a prompt. I wrote the following, “I am a Catholic layman. I write a column. Please write 300 words on how artificial intelligence might impact people of faith. Make it a little conversational, a little humorous, and use two examples of AI currently being developed but not yet on the market … begin with the sentence, “Wow, it was a lot!”
In less than five seconds, it spit out for me what you see.
We need AI. It will change an infinite number of lives. Already, an Australian university has developed a portable and non-invasive mind-reading AI hat that can decode and translate silent thoughts into readable text. Wearable technology will allow people who are unable to speak due to illness, injury, stroke, or paralysis to communicate in ways heretofore believed impossible.
“Can I please have a glass of water?” … “Can you please scratch my nose?”
AI is a testament to God’s gifts of creativity—if we use it in service to the Creator. It’s been said, “Do not be afraid of the one who can create body but not soul; be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul.”
So let’s enjoy the ride but pay attention to the destination.
And yes, I just had to. The following prayer was written by AI.
Dear God—Help us see AI for what it is: useful, but not a replacement for You. Keep us focused on what really matters: Your love and wisdom. Amen.
George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga and author of the newly released book “We Lost Our Fifth Fork … and other moments when we need some perspective.”
Comments 1
Thank you for writing on this topic. I wonder how this technology will evolve? It’s frightening to think how this can be used to fool people into believing something that is not real, IE, a nuclear attack on the way. I think of how people were fooled by “War of the Worlds” and that was a radio show! I am concerned.
I think if this could be limited for the purpose of medicine, it could be useful. Unfortunately, too many people want to push the envelope or use it for nefarious purposes, which will lead to enslavement or worse. The one world government would be more possible and the true antichrist will come into power.
I think there is more to be concerned about than to be used for the glory of God. I am old, so, I won’t have to worry about such things much longer. If God wills my entrance into heaven, I will pray for everyone on earth, because I think it will be a worse place to be.