The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a pressing concern: the impact on truth. With AI-generated images, videos, and voices becoming increasingly realistic, it’s becoming challenging to distinguish between what’s real and what’s artificial. This has led to a rise in AI-generated deception, making it easier to spread falsehoods and manipulate public opinion.
The Vatican has addressed this issue in its recent document, Antiqua et Nova, highlighting the urgent need for a renewed commitment to moral responsibility in the digital age. The document warns that AI risks distorting our relationship with others and with reality. Pope Francis has also spoken out on this issue, cautioning against a digital world where lies spread faster than facts and deception is used as a tool of power.
For Christians, truth is not just about accuracy, but a moral duty. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6), making truth central to the Christian worldview. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that truthfulness is essential to human dignity and social harmony. In this age of AI-generated falsehoods, people of faith are called to uphold truth with even greater vigilance.
To counter AI-driven deception, education is crucial. Schools, universities, and faith communities must help people develop critical thinking skills to question sources and verify information. Ethical AI development must also be prioritized, with tech companies and governments working together to prevent AI from being used to spread lies. Finally, Christians are called to be witnesses to truth, promoting honesty, justice, and transparency in both digital and personal interactions.
Ultimately, the responsibility to safeguard truth lies not in machines, but in us. As Antiqua et Nova reminds us, technology should serve humanity, not undermine it. AI may change how we access and interpret information, but it should never redefine our commitment to what is real.