Technology Archives

Artificial intelligence ethics the same as other new technology

Interviews
July 29, 2017

The greatest worry for Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not that it will become sentient and then try to kill us, or raise questions of computers achieving personhood and challenging human uniqueness; but rather whether this very powerful technology will be used – by humans – for good or for evil.

Vatican cardinal on a quest for the soul inside the machine

Vatican
June 28, 2017

Modern technological advances are calling into question what it means to be human. Biotechnology is changing people from guardians into creators. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi says these new technologies “have ethical and cultural implications that need to be considered.”

Pope Francis receives electric car as part of effort to create “carbon free” Vatican

Vatican
June 1, 2017

A new electric car has been given to Pope Francis, as part of a conference on ‘Laudato Si’ taking place in the Vatican. The Vatican, car manufacturer Opel, and Italian energy firm Enel pledged to work together on a sustainable mobility program for the Vatican City State.

Pope urges faithful to consult Bible as often as cellphones

Associated Press, Vatican
March 5, 2017

Pope Francis seems to be asking the impossible when he suggests that people check the Bible more than they check their cellphones. The pope has been a regular social media user himself with his Twitter account. However, it seems likely in this case he is taking his own advice.

Top papal aide says technology is creating new pro-life challenges

Vatican
February 9, 2017

Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, tapped by Pope Francis to head both the Pontifical Academy for Life and the St. John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Studies of Marriage and Family, says that technological change is generating new ethical challenges such as blending humans and robotics.

Catholics should be open but wary on brave new techno-world

Commentary
January 10, 2017

From automated cars to cheap 3D printing, technological advances now on the horizon are shaping a brave new world. The proper Catholic response is to discern, because such revolutions generally come with unintended negative consequences too.