Read the Magnifica Humanitas

or at least a few pages. What is the “Magnifica Humanitas” you rightfully ask. The Magnifica Humanitas is a document about safeguarding the human person in the time of artifical intelligence published by the Holy See. And it might be the very reason I re-join the catholic church.

Before I read the document I heard about Vatican washing. In a decline of relevance they make bold moves to maintain popularity. However, I think that is not the case here. Claiming brand washing was most likely a move by the tech bros to discredit the critics of ai. Although it is written in the first person, it is clearly a coherent and sound document authored by experts.

Every passage I read, resonated with my understanding of the ai situation. The wording is very clear and difficulties are explained with ease. I gained new perspectives on topics I never questioned, f.g. the value of work or the relationship between truth and democracy. There is also a quote by J.R.R. Tolkien, which is obviously a blow against Palantir and Peter Thiel.

It is funny that you can now quote the pope when engaging in conversations about ai. “Even the pope thinks is ai is bullshit!”, is valid ad hominem argument now.

Some additional notes:

• I grew up in catholic community and therefore went through the process from baptism to confirmation. At some point I decided to leave the catholic church.
• Instead of writing “AI” all capital I want to emphasize on its shortcomings and write all lower caps “ai”.
• At home I printed the Magnifica Humanitas and put it on the kitchen table as conversation starter.
• I learned that many people still do not know about Palantir and its role in building the techno fascist state of America.