D. José Tolentino Mendonça defends that technology never replaces human accompaniment

Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça stated that the development of artificial intelligence requires a commitment to preserving human accompaniment in Portuguese schools. Speaking at the opening of a symposium on education in Fátima, the prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education noted that while AI can process data, recognize patterns, and simulate certain human functions, a person is not merely an information processing system.

The cardinal argued that there is a distinction between computer calculations and anthropological feeling, noting that people understand and assign meaning to their experiences of living, loving, and suffering. He suggested that societal changes are altering how younger generations seek answers regarding the meaning of existence.

The symposium, titled "Mapping Educational Paths for a Magnificent Humanization," is being held at the Paulo VI Pastoral Center through Saturday. The event is organized by the Portuguese Episcopal Commission for Christian Education.