Artificial intelligence is transforming our world at an astonishing pace. Machines can now write sometimes passable essays, diagnose diseases, and even create lifelike art. But as AI grows, a deeper question emerges: What does it mean to be human in a world where machines can do so much? What can humans still do? The Catholic response is not to fear technology but to embrace it responsibly, ensuring that it serves human dignity rather than undermining it. This is where the call for “algorethics” — ethical algorithms — becomes crucial.
What AI can (and can’t) do
AI is incredibly efficient at processing vast amounts of data, recognizing patterns, and mimicking human creativity. It can compose music, generate realistic images, and even simulate conversation. But it obviously lacks some basic human capacities.
Catholic thought recognizes intelligence as more than just information processing. True intelligence involves wisdom, moral reasoning, and the ability to form relationships — things AI cannot replicate. A machine may write a beautiful poem, but it does not understand beauty. It can predict behavior, but it does not care. It can mimic compassion and even display some pre-programmed signs of “empathy,” but it does not love.
Why “algorethics” matters
The Vatican has been closely watching the rise of artificial intelligence, consistently emphasizing that technology must serve humanity, not redefine it. Pope Francis has repeatedly warned against the dangers of reducing human beings to mere data points, calling for ethical AI development that upholds human dignity and the common good.
This concern has been addressed in several key Vatican initiatives:
The 2020 Rome Call for AI Ethics – A declaration promoting AI transparency, fairness, and accountability, signed by the Pontifical Academy for Life, Microsoft, IBM, and other institutions.
Pope Francis’ 2023 Message for the World Day of Peace – A call for an international treaty on AI ethics, urging global leaders to prevent AI from widening social inequalities.
The 2025 document Antiqua et Nova – A deeper Vatican reflection on AI’s impact, reaffirming that human intelligence, with its moral and spiritual dimensions, cannot be reduced to machine processing.
The concept of “algorethics” is one of the Church’s many responses to these challenges. Just as laws regulate medicine and finance to protect human dignity, AI must also be governed by moral principles. This means:
- Ensuring AI respects human rights, avoiding biases that reinforce discrimination.
- Maintaining human oversight over decisions that affect people’s lives.
- Prioritizing the common good over profit-driven automation.
Pope Francis has constantly stressed that ethical AI is not just a technical issue but a moral responsibility. If AI is developed without ethical safeguards, it risks deepening inequality, dehumanizing relationships, and detaching us from our own humanity.
What it means to stay human
Embracing technology doesn’t mean letting it shape us—we are the ones in charge of shaping it. Staying human in the AI era requires at least three fundamental things:
- Prioritizing real relationships. Digital interactions should never replace authentic human connection.
- Cultivating wisdom, not just knowledge. AI can retrieve facts, but only humans can reflect, interpret, and act with moral insight.
- Recognizing the value of imperfection. AI aims for efficiency, but human life is about growth, struggle, and learning from failure.
AI is a powerful tool, but it is just that—a tool. It can assist, but it cannot replace the depth of human experience. Intelligence is not just about processing data; it is about love, purpose, and moral responsibility.
As humans, we are called to use technology wisely, ensuring that it serves the dignity of every person. “Algorethics” is not just a policy suggestion; it is a call to safeguard our own humanity.
