US bishops establish AI task force, urge safeguards on Capitol Hill

U.S. bishops established a task force Sept. 16 to place human dignity at the center of artificial intelligence (AI) policy, including protections for religious liberty, families, and vulnerable populations.

The Task Force on Preserving Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence was created in response to Pope Leo XIV’s May 15 encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, according to a Sept. 16 statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In the document, Pope Leo called for cooperation to ensure technological progress serves the human person.

The Administrative Committee formed the task force after consulting AI specialists and technology company representatives about how the Church could encourage responsible use of the technology, the USCCB said. The bishops then carried those concerns to Capitol Hill, where more than a dozen bishops urged lawmakers to adopt AI safeguards and advance protections for children online.

“The dialogue focused on ways to keep any system of Artificial Intelligence at the service of humanity and the urgent need to address the real and present dangers such technology present,” the USCCB said. “Recent events have only emphasized the great need for action by everyone involved.”

Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose will chair the resulting task force, whose remaining members have not yet been announced.

“The bishops expressed hope that such conversations will help to identify ways the Church can contribute to the moral foundation of AI models and steps the companies can take to protect against misuse of their inventions and to guarantee human oversight of the technology,” the statement continued. “The discussion also focused on how the Church and industry can work together toward the goal of ensuring that technology is used in ways that keep it human-centered, respecting the dignity of each person, and benefiting all — poor and rich alike.”

As Zeale News previously reported, Pope Leo returned to those concerns in his Sept. 16 general audience, warning against entrusting decisions belonging to the human conscience to algorithms and calling Christians to preserve depth in human relationships.