AI Without Strong Ethical Safeguards Could Sideline Workers
Artificial intelligence (AI) poses risks of sidelining workers and exacerbating social inequalities unless its rapid adoption is governed by strong ethical standards that prioritize human welfare. This cautionary stance has been articulated by the Archdiocese of Malta in a recent position paper titled Ethical Adoption of AI.
Call for Policymaker Action
The Church urges policymakers to ensure that AI-driven changes do not lead to workforce displacement or neglect vulnerable communities. The paper argues that AI will revolutionize nearly all facets of labor and the economy, emphasizing the necessity for proactive measures to safeguard society.
Impact on Employment and Economy
Authored by Fr. Jean Gové, the document examines the effects of AI across education, the economy, and culture. It advocates for incentives that encourage businesses to retrain and redeploy employees affected by automation. While appreciating existing government efforts, the Archdiocese calls for stronger ethical standards and literacy programs to ensure AI remains a trustworthy tool.
Human Oversight is Essential
The Archdiocese emphasizes that decision-making in areas impacting human lives must always be retained by humans, warning against excessive reliance on digital systems. The paper states, “Decision-making must always be left to the human person.” It also highlights the importance of maintaining non-digital access to essential services to protect those at risk of exclusion.
Value of Human Labor
While acknowledging the potential of AI to enhance efficiency and safety, the Church underscores the intrinsic value of human labor and the essential nature of human relationships, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education, and pastoral work. The position paper notes that AI’s capability to foster creativity and problem-solving is contingent upon the intentions of its users. Misuse could diminish our agency and responsibility, undermining the relational and ethical dimensions of human existence.
Concerns in Education
In the educational sector, the Archdiocese calls for vigilance against the exploitation of students through profiling, insisting that human understanding, moral discernment, and care must be central to educational frameworks.
Supporting Cultural Identity
Despite the concerns, the Church recognizes AI’s potential to bolster Malta’s cultural identity, including tools that promote the Maltese language and heritage. The Archdiocese is also enhancing its capabilities for the digital era by implementing AI literacy and ethics training for various professionals, including priests, educators, and social workers.
Collaboration for Ethical AI
Having already trained over 1,500 educators across different school types, the Archdiocese is collaborating with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority on literacy sessions aimed at parents and vulnerable groups. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi emphasized the need to remember the human dimension of technological change, stating, “Technology is a tool; the human person is the subject.”
Conclusion
The Archdiocese is prepared to work with government, businesses, educators, and civil society to ensure that the advantages of AI, such as increased productivity, are equitably shared and remain under human supervision.
The full position paper is accessible at church.mt.
