麻豆社

As Silicon Valley races to build machines that can think, create and perhaps surpass human intelligence, the Vatican has emerged as one of the most prominent global voices to question the path the tech billionaires are setting for us. Pope Leo XIV in his recent document on AI warned of 鈥渢he risk of dehumanization.鈥� Behind that warning lies a question that has occupied philosophers and theologians for centuries: what does it mean to be human?

In Rome, Isobel Cockerell explores whether the answer to that age-old question survives contact with the era of artificial intelligence. She turns to Father Michael Baggot, a Catholic priest and professor who teaches courses on AI, ethics and transhumanism at Vatican universities. A regular at meetings between clergy and tech leaders, he sees Silicon Valley鈥檚 vision of AI as quasi-religious in its claims to end uncertainty, suffering, and even death. 鈥淚 also belong to a religion that believes in eternal life,鈥� he says. He鈥檚 conflicted about the ambitions of the tech elite - he hopes AI can lead to 鈥渉uman flourishing鈥� but sees, in his pastoral life, how AI can devalue the very human acts of caring and of sacrificing for the good of others.

Isobel also speaks to tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, known for his radical efforts to defeat human ageing and live forever. He tells us that in building superintelligent AI, humanity may in fact be building God. He points to a future in which 鈥渢his emergent structure of power is no longer human-centric.鈥�

This episode of Heart and Soul examines whether an institution built on ancient tradition can meaningfully shape the direction of the most disruptive technology of our time. And it invites believers and sceptics alike to consider what impact artificial intelligence might have on humanity.