As young Catholics prepare for World Youth Day 2027 in South Korea, discussions on artificial intelligence and ethics have begun at Seoul’s
Myeongdong Cathedral. Franciscan Father Paolo Benanti, the Vatican’s top expert
on the technology, launched an appeal for ethical artificial intelligence.
“We must change our perspective on the ethics of technology
and see it as a form of power. Any use of AI implies a moral choice. We should
strive for development, innovation that serves the common good,” Father Benanti
said at Myeongdong Cathedral, calling for “ethical artificial
intelligence” as preparations for the international youth gathering begin.
Invited by the local church, the theologian and ethicist addressed 800 young
people on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Its Ethical
Implications.” Besides being the Vatican’s AI expert and advisor to the pope on technology, Father Benanti is a member of the United Nations
Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence and chairs an Italian government
commission focused on safeguarding journalism from fake news and
disinformation.
“Do not be intimidated by technology. As Pope Benedict XVI
said, technology is a form of power. As he taught in Caritas in
Veritate, technology reveals humanity’s aspiration for development and our
inner urge to overcome material limitations. If used wisely, it can bring us
closer to contemplation and adoration of the Lord,” he told the young
Koreans, stressing the importance of exploring ethical dimensions in modern
technology and the complexity of artificial intelligence.
Using historical examples to illustrate technology’s impact
on society, Father Benanti conveyed a message of shared responsibility:
technological advancements affect not just engineers and computer scientists
but all of society, urging careful reflection on human life and future ethics.
He also advocated for a thoughtful approach to technological progress,
highlighting the need to enhance human dignity and promote societal well-being,
particularly for younger generations.
His talk launched a series of initiatives organized by the
Communications Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul in collaboration with the
Local Organizing Committee for World Youth Day 2027. This program includes
meetings, seminars, and catechisms designed to engage young people in
discussions on contemporary issues.
Challenges of AI data
The issue resonates deeply with Korea’s youth. A recent
report revealed that internet penetration in South Korea in 2023 was nearly
universal for those aged 10 to 49. AI has become a crucial tool in the
workplace, with young adults embracing it at much higher rates than their peers
in other countries.
Samsung Electronics’ report, The 2024 AI-Preneur Effect,
examined how Gen Z uses advanced technology to boost their careers. It found
that 80 percent of young people in South Korea rely on AI as a key resource and are
optimistic about “the potential of AI to transform my approach to work.” The
report also revealed that individuals with side jobs using AI daily rely on it
for a variety of tasks, including documentation, research, and content
creation. Among Koreans, 46 percent use AI to summarize documents, 37 percent
for content creation, and 36 percent for research and inspiration.
Jessica Jun, a teaching professional writing about “Ethical
Dilemmas: South Korean Students and ChatGPT” in Medium, noted that a common
ethical issue with AI tools like ChatGPT is plagiarism, as they generate
content from internet sources and may unintentionally plagiarize others’ work.
This highlights the growing importance of proper citation and responsible AI
use. Jun also raised privacy concerns, as ChatGPT does not disclose its
data sources, leading to fears of privacy violations and authorship
infringement. Additionally, bias in AI training data is problematic, as AI
tools can produce biased responses, potentially spreading misinformation and
reinforcing prejudice, she explained.
President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea has also called for creating a
UN-affiliated international organization dedicated to developing digital ethics
rules and guidelines, acknowledging the significant risks posed by the misuse
of AI and digital technologies.
World Youth Day, Seoul
Preparations for the next World Youth Day (WYD), which will
be held in 2027 in Seoul, South Korea, officially began July 28. A solemn Mass
brought together over a thousand faithful, as well as diplomatic
representatives from eight countries, at Myeongdong
Cathedral in the heart of the South Korean capital.
Presiding over the ceremony, Archbishop Peter Soon-taick
Chung of Seoul emphasized the importance of involving young people in the
event’s preparation. “I believe that World
Youth Day is an invaluable opportunity for young people worldwide,
including our young Koreans, to reflect and engage,” he said in his homily,
according to Fides. “In the coming months, the imperative is to unite our
hearts, pray together, and listen to the Holy Spirit to seriously prepare for
this journey.”
World Youth Day is a global event with the pope held
approximately every three years in a different country. The most recent WYD
took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 1 to 6, 2023. The next WYD is
scheduled for Seoul in the summer of 2027.
World Youth Day originated in 1984 when St. John Paul II
organized a gathering on Palm Sunday in Rome to celebrate the Youth Jubilee of
the Holy Year of Redemption 1983-1984. While 60,000 pilgrims were expected, the
event drew 250,000 young people from various countries. It was a great success
and became the model for World Youth Day events, which first took place in
1987. More than 400,000 faithful are expected for the next WYD.
