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I want to share a secret. I use AI. I use it to help produce the podcast. I use for other things as well. I don’t use it to write sermons, because I think sermons are supposed to be God-inspired, but I do use to help me write things like podcast descriptions.
But I feel wary in sharing that because there is so much anxiety surrounding AI. We worry about data centers, the potential loss of jobs, people entering into relationships with chatbots, and of course, the fear that AI could go all Skynet or Matrix on us. For the kids, I’m referring to two movies where AI tried to destroy humanity.
The release of the encyclical Magnifca Humanitas by Pope Leo laid out the concerns with AI. I haven’t read the full document, but he is helping the church start to think about what AI is for. The media tended to hone in on the problems with AI, and it all left me wondering: is there anything good about AI?
Well, for one pastor, AI isn’t a threat. Instead, they see it as a tool for love. Episcopal priest Cathie Caimano wrote in her Substack how the Pope’s encyclical showed how AI can be used for love. She wrote in her essay, “You and me. WE have the choice to share love in this world, or share division. WE have the choice to use technology for harm or indifference to our neighbors OR to use it to build relationships, foster community, care for one another in God’s name, and tell the saving story of Jesus.” Her message was so different from the media and from other church leaders, I had to have her on the podcast to talk about this. So we welcome Fr. Cathie Caimano back to the podcast.
A little about Cathie. She is a “free-range” priest in North Carolina, where she works with small parishes.
Shownotes:
The Pope said Use AI for Love’
Bless Me Father, For I Have Sinned in using AI.
Related Episodes:
Navigating the AI Apocalypse with Michael DeLashmutt | Episode 284
Can AI Help or Hinder Human Flourishing? with Paul Hoffman | Episode 266
Pastoral Leadership and ChatGPT with Jeremy Wilhelmi | Episode 178
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