U.S. Bishops' Administrative Committee establishes Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

The Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops established the Bishops’ Task Force on Preserving Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose will chair the group.

The committee formed the task force following an appeal from Pope Leo XIV in his encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, to build cooperation and shared responsibility. During a meeting with technology firm representatives and specialists, the committee discussed keeping artificial intelligence at the service of humanity and addressing the dangers the technology presents. Conference spokesperson Chieko Noguchi stated the bishops hope to identify how the Church can contribute to the moral foundation of AI models and how companies can protect against misuse and ensure human oversight.

The discussion also addressed how the Church and the tech industry can work together to ensure technology remains human-centered, respects individual dignity, and benefits both the rich and the poor. Oscar Cantú noted that creators of these machines recognize serious threats and are looking to the Church for moral guidance. The membership of the task force has not yet been determined.