Church in Northern Thailand Urges Ethical Formation in the AI Age
At the beginning of this year, the Catholic Church in northern Thailand held its 2026 Annual Regional Seminar in Nakhon Phanom Province, near the border with Laos. This significant gathering brought together nearly 200 priests, five bishops, and several delegates from neighboring Laos.
Updating Clergy on New Technologies
The seminar addressed the theme drawn from the recent Vatican document Antiqua et Novae: Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
Fr. Joseph Anucha Chaiyadej, Secretary General of the Office of Social Communication of the Bishops’ Conference, was the main speaker. He focused on the Church’s discernment regarding emerging technologies.
New Digital Tools
In his keynote address, Fr. Joseph reflected on the nature and limits of artificial intelligence. He stated, “Artificial intelligence does not possess true intelligence, consciousness, or comprehension. AI is not the ‘subject’ but the ‘object.’ It has no conscience and no life.”
He presented the Vatican document as a “moral compass” for “those entrusted with transmitting the faith,” urging participants not to let algorithms dictate their narratives but to use technology to serve humanity.
Truth Decay, Deepfakes, and Filter Bubbles
Fr. Joseph raised concerns about the phenomenon of “truth decay” in the digital world. He highlighted the dangers of deepfakes and filter bubbles, which distort public discourse and manipulate perception. The Vatican document notes, “The danger of deepfakes is particularly evident when they are used to target or harm others.”
Furthermore, he discussed how these issues undermine trust, which is essential for genuine dialogue and the exercise of faith.
Responsible Use of AI
In light of these challenges, Fr. Joseph encouraged clergy and Church institutions to adhere to principles of transparency, inclusion, and accountability, which align with global discussions on AI ethics. He recalled the teachings of the late Pope Francis on the need for growth in human responsibility proportional to the potential of technology.
Opening the “Black Box”
In his concluding remarks, Fr. Joseph emphasized the necessity of transparency in AI systems, particularly in high-impact areas such as education, governance, communication, and social services. He referred to transparency as the effort to “open the black box,” the hidden processes through which AI systems generate decisions.
Fr. Joseph asserted that only through clarity, ethical oversight, and human discernment can technology truly serve the dignity of individuals and the mission of the Church.
This regional seminar exemplifies the Catholic Church in northern Thailand’s commitment to fostering a critical, faith-based engagement with artificial intelligence, one that is rooted in responsibility, wisdom, and fidelity to the Gospel in the digital age.
