**Cardinal Michael Czerny Shares Insights on Pope Leo’s First Year and the Church’s Stance on AI**
Cardinal Michael Czerny, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has been a vocal advocate for addressing global issues and has now turned his attention to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. In an exclusive interview with **Norah O’Donnell**, he spoke about the first year of Pope Leo’s papacy, the complex role of the Catholic Church in politics, and the need for the Church to engage with emerging technologies like AI.
As the first-ever pontiff to have a Twitter account, Pope Leo has been utilizing social media to connect with the global flock. In response to criticism that the Church is adapting too quickly to modern technology, Cardinal Czerny emphasizes that the Pope’s goal is to reach a wider audience and facilitate dialogue. “We’re not trying to be trendy,” he says. “We’re trying to be faithful to the Gospel in a world that is increasingly digital.”
Politics and the Church
Cardinal Czerny discusses the delicate balance between the Church’s spiritual mission and its engagement in politics. The Catholic Church has long been involved in social and economic issues, and Cardinal Czerny believes that this involvement is essential to promoting the common good. However, he also acknowledges that the Church must be cautious not to overstep its boundaries or be seen as taking sides in partisan politics. “We’re not a political party,” he notes. “We’re a spiritual community that seeks to serve the whole person.”
Confronting the Challenges of AI
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on AI, Cardinal Czerny recognizes the need for the Church to engage with this emerging technology. He highlights the potential benefits of AI, such as improving healthcare outcomes and enhancing educational opportunities. However, he also warns about the risks associated with AI, including job displacement and exacerbating existing social inequalities. “We need to have a nuanced conversation about the impact of AI on human relationships and on our sense of dignity,” he says. “We need to ensure that this technology serves humanity, rather than the other way around.”
**What this means:** The Catholic Church is grappling with the implications of emerging technologies like AI, recognizing both the potential benefits and the risks. As the world becomes increasingly digital, the Church must navigate the complexities of AI while staying true to its spiritual mission.
