A high-level gathering of judges, legal scholars, and artificial intelligence experts convened in Vatican City this week to explore the impact of AI on justice, democracy, and human dignity. Source: CNA.
The two-day workshop, titled “Artificial Intelligence, Justice, and Democracy,” was hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences in collaboration with the Argentina-based Pan-American Committee of Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine (COPAJU) and its academic branch, the Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Institute for Legal Research (IFBC).
The March 4-5 conference brought together over 60 participants to discuss the ethical challenges posed by AI, its influence on judicial decision-making, and its potential to shape democratic institutions.
“As with all other aspects of technical life that need an ethical framework, Church authorities leave to the experts in a particular field the burden and the honour of identifying what are the key emerging ethical problems in that field and then work with them to indicate the solutions that can be proposed to governments and to the wider public,” Sr Helen Alford, president of the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences, said in her opening address to the conference.
“In this way, the Church is present in the debate, both placing confidence in those responsible for these technologies and for their uses, and in making herself available to participate in and support the moral, ethical, and political efforts of all people of goodwill to direct these technologies appropriately.”
One of the major focuses of the conference was AI’s influence on democratic institutions. Experts discussed the potential for AI to increase citizen participation and improve access to information.
However, they also warned of AI’s capacity to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, and undermine democratic processes.
Another important theme of the conference was AI’s role in the justice system. Participants examined how AI can both perpetuate and mitigate biases in areas such as criminal justice, employment, and housing.
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Vatican conference examines artificial intelligence implications for democracy, justice (By Courtney Mares, CNA)
