Artificial intelligence and lived discipleship

Ever since generative artificial intelligence (AI) became widely available, the church has had something to say about the way Christians and all people should approach and use AI.

Why? Because technology is a part of life and since we live our lives as whole people -- not compartmentalized -- our values as disciples of Jesus need to come into play when we use any kind of technology, especially artificial intelligence.

Now, the proliferation of AI has raised concerns. Will students use it to do their homework? Will AI take away jobs? What about the immense server farms needed to sustain AI systems and their impact on the environment? Will we be able to tell the difference between what is AI-generated and human created?

A must-read Vatican resource for anyone grappling with these issues and others like it is
"Antiqua et Nova: Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence." It came out in January 2025 and in it, the church reflects on the impact AI is having on many aspects of our lives.

I would like to highlight three challenges (among many) that AI poses to us as Christians and offer an antidote so that we can examine ourselves to make sure that the way we engage with AI and other technologies is in accord with the virtues we strive to live by.

Challenge one: Relationships

A growing trend, especially among teens, is to use AI chatbots as companions and givers of mental health advice. When so many relationships are mediated by some kind of digital interaction, how do we teach our youth to value real, human relationships?

One antidote to this challenge is to intensify our rootedness in community. We all belong to communities: our families, the parish, work or school, common interest groups, etc. These communities are where we make authentic human connections.

I recall watching the History Channel's show "Alone." Contestants, who are usually wilderness experts, are sent out into harsh environments with just a few items and a bunch of camera equipment. Whoever lasts the longest wins. So many times, people "tapped out" just because they missed their loved ones at home and even the possibility of $500,000 was not enough to keep them in the game. Such is the essential nature of our connection with other people.

Relationships are complicated, but if people are turning to AI for relationships, then followers of Christ need to be the example of authentic relationships. "Antiqua et Nova" says, "Authentic human relationships require the richness of being with others in their pain, their pleas, and their joy."

Challenge two: Digital sloth

Sloth is more than just being lazy. In the context of the seven deadly sins, sloth means spiritual apathy toward fulfilling one's purpose in life or just not caring. There is sloth in the digital world as well and AI can feed right into that.

One of the blessings of AI is that it can help with repetitive tasks and intricate data analysis but when AI is employed to substitute using our brains, that's when sloth kicks in. I've used AI numerous times to put together an outline for a presentation but I wrote the presentation myself. The problems come when we don't set reasonable boundaries in the way we use AI or how often.

The antidote here is intentionality. It's good, periodically, to question ourselves about how we use AI and other technology. Does this technology and the way I'm using it draw me closer to God and others? Is the dignity of the human person always being respected? How does my use of AI hold up the principles of Catholic social teaching?

Challenge three: AI and tech overload

I try to keep up with what's going on with AI, but it can be overwhelming since there are new developments every day. Just the number of AI resources are enough to keep one's head spinning. Which chatbot to use? Which image or video generator? If you've ever experienced tech overload, you know what I'm talking about.

"Antiqua et Nova" offers a surprising antidote to overload: an intensification of spirituality. "Only the human person can be morally responsible, and the challenges of a technological society are ultimately spiritual in nature. Therefore, facing these challenges demands an intensification of spirituality."

You already express your relationship with God in your spiritual life. What will help when it comes to AI challenges is an intensification of the spirituality you already have. Discern how you might do that. Staying after Mass on Sunday to pray? Meditating on Scripture? Unplugging at a certain time each day to spend some time in silence?

Lived discipleship in the age of artificial intelligence isn't an easy task. Stay rooted to your human community, be intentional with your AI interactions and intensify your spirituality. With these in your toolbox, you'll be equipped to face the challenges of AI and technology, keeping Christ at the center of all aspects of your life.