By Charles Igwe
The Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN) in the Diocese of Abeokuta celebrated the 58th World Communications Day at the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul, Abeokuta. The event, highlighted by a thanksgiving Mass and a symposium, focused on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication.”
Presiding over the Mass, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo emphasized the importance of accurate news reporting and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). In his sermon, he reminded Catholic media practitioners of their duty to leverage technological advancements to enhance human communication without losing the wisdom of the heart. He urged them to utilize AI to support humanity’s co-creative nature while maintaining ethical standards and compassionate reporting.
After the Mass, the symposium was moderated by Mr. Oluwafemi Adelodun, an IT expert and principal officer at WAEC’s Lagos Head Office. Adelodun defined AI as the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks typically requiring human intelligence. He stressed the moral responsibility parents have in their children’s upbringing, advocating for the “wisdom of the heart” in an era where shortcuts to success are prevalent.
Rev. Fr. Greg Fadele, Director of Social Communication for the diocese, elaborated on the Holy Father’s message for this year’s theme. He explained that while the Church welcomes AI as a tool for acculturation, it raises profound questions about the nature of humanity and the ethical use of AI. He emphasized the need for AI to serve a good purpose, rooted in human intentionality and ethical considerations.
Pope Francis’s message for the 2024 World Communications Day was highlighted, where he cautioned against seeking wisdom from machines. He clarified that while machines can store and analyze vast amounts of data, only humans can interpret and make sense of this information meaningfully. The Pope’s insights underscored the need for a human-centered approach to AI.
A significant part of the symposium focused on “Magisterium AI” (M.Ai), an app developed by the U.S.-based company Longbeard. M.Ai provides access to a comprehensive database of Church documents, making Catholic teachings more accessible worldwide. Unlike general AI models like ChatGPT, M.Ai is trained solely on Church documents, ensuring accurate responses aligned with Catholic doctrine. Available in multiple languages and used in 125 countries, M.Ai is seen as a valuable tool for evangelization and education in the Catholic Church.
The symposium also touched on the presence of robot priests and monks, such as BlessU-2 in Germany, Mindar in Japan, and Pepper, who perform religious rituals. This raised theological and anthropological questions about the role of machines in religious practices and their ability to replace human clergy.
Bishop Odetoyinbo concluded the event by encouraging Catholic media practitioners to view reality through a spiritual lens, emphasizing the importance of the human heart in encountering God and fostering ethical communication. He called on the media to engage with new technologies thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring they enhance rather than detract from the human experience.
