On January 28, 2025 (during the pontificate of Pope Francis) the Catholic Church put out its position paper on AI: Antiqua et nova: Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence. Here are my thoughts, which I wrote back in February, but not much has changed since then, and the new pope has continued citing AI as of particular concern to the Catholic Church.

"With all your modern science, are you any closer to understanding the mystery of how a robot walks or talks?" "Yes, you idiot. The circuit diagram is right here on the inside of your case!" (Futurama)

Four characteristics of humanity

Section III is the real meat of the document. It lists four essential characteristics, and argues that AI falls short of the fullness of humanity in each respect. These are: rationality, truth-seeking, embodiment, and relationality.

I will address embodiment [...]

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Outline:

(00:54) Four characteristics of humanity

(01:33) Embodiment and relationality

(11:59) Rationality

(14:31) Truth-seeking

(15:59) How much of Antiqua et nova is specifically theistic, or Christian?

(16:52) What kind of theism is the document based on?

(18:16) Besides that, what specifically Christian points are made?

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First published:
May 19th, 2025

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/yDyRgLSvpsD3PqQHC/thoughts-on-antiqua-et-nova-catholic-church-s-ai-statement

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

“Thoughts on ‘Antiqua et nova’ (Catholic Church’s AI statement)” by jchan

LessWrong (30+ Karma)