Last Sunday (May 12, 2024) the Catholic Church commemorated the 58th World Social Communications Day.  

As a precursor to the celebration, the Social Communications Department of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala organised a special symposium on Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

The seminar that attracted members of the press and ecclesial social communicators took place at Rubaga Cathedral on Friday (May 10, 2024). The topic of discussion (also the theme of the Social Communications Day) was: Artificial Intelligence and the wisdom of the heart; towards a fully human communication.

Delivering the key-note address during the symposium, the Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, the Most Rev Paul Ssemogerere spoke well of Artificial Intelligence, highlighting its various benefits and contribution to global development, particularly in areas such as education, health-care, environment conservation, peace-building, international connections/relations, evangelism, just to name a few. 

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (left) shares a moment with some of the journalists and ecclesial social communicators that attended the symposium.

The Prelate of Lubaga nonetheless decried the unprecedented addiction and tendency of people to misuse computer science, and also, the culture of glorifying artificial intelligence at the expense of the human person and the common good.

Ssemogerere described as “wrong and dangerous” the prioritization of artificial intelligence over the human person, who is the inventor of human intelligence. 

He consequently called for a more prudent use of artificial intelligence machines as supportive tools and not replacements of the human being.

“Digital technology is good, but it can also be dangerous, disastrous and a threat to human survival. It is now easy for someone to fire a missile from one continent to another. The use of digital machines such as robots have also caused massive unemployment. There are also people who use digital technology to character-assassinate others; this greatly endangers human relations,” Ssemogerere explained.

“Excessive reliance on digital technology kills human creativity. It kills the originality and authenticity of humans. It makes human beings lazy.  We should remember that robots don’t have human feelings, or emotions. They don’t regard human values such as love, sympathy, empathy, human solidarity, respect. They don’t reason! They can also be costly. This explains why we need to be very prudent as we use them.” He added.

Rev Fr Ronald Kigozi, a Doctor of Bio-Ethics who discussed the topic also called for proper use of modern information technology. He decried what he referred to as “cognitive pollution,” and, the culture of fake news that is exacerbated by the scientific creation of fake images.

As a way of safe-guarding the potential benefits of IT, Fr Kigozi called for comprehensive dialogue on how to end impropriety in the application of computer science.  Referring to Pope Francis’ previous Pastoral Letters for World Communications Day, Kigozi also called for an international treaty to regulate Artificial Intelligence with the ultimate aim of promoting the common good and advancement of global peace. He also emphasized the need for government leaders to protect their citizens from the improprieties of computer science.

“Economic gains should never be given priority over human beings. We cannot risk having a country that is rich in technology but very poor in humanity. Information technology should be used to serve humanity, not to support human replacement. It should be made accountable to holistic development. And it must not replace God the creator of all things.”

Rev Fr Dr Ambrose Bwangatto (a professor of Philosophy art St Mbaaga’s Major Seminary Ggaba) also called on government leaders to do more to address the ethical challenges associated with artificial intelligence.  

He advocated for human-centered development, which serves human beings as opposed to replacing them. Bwangatto also called on government to put in place measures to safeguard professionals from the threat of artificial intelligence misuse.

Interestingly, all the clerical discussants rhymed in their agreement that artificial intelligence has enormous benefits. It is inevitable. It is here to stay. However, measures must be put in place to address its improprieties so that people can reap its enormous benefits. And this responsibility is for all the stakeholders.