Machines and Humans

Yesterday in a Secular Community we were discussing Pope Leo’s recent Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.  This is talked about as if it were ‘about AI’ but it’s about much more than that – there is a substantial portion on the development of Christian Social Doctrine before he tackles recent issues in the arena of artificial intelligence.  In the second part of the Encyclical the Holy Father hints at the enormous differences between machines and humans (upon which books could be and probably have been written) and points out that when a machine gives a judgement, that judgement comes out of the accumulation of data but devoid of the human experiences that contribute so much to our inner growth and our interactions.  Those interactions are so precious - and this is one of the things I value about our Secular groups and communities.  I experience spiritual growth as nourished and nurtured by what others share in our meetings, but the interaction runs deeper than that as relationships of love are forged over time mysteriously by the action of the Holy Spirit.

Intercessions

RIP Chinaka, Jacqui

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Theresa K, Elena

Sophie – newborn having heart surgery; Sianna, young child in the post-operative phase; James, recovering from surgery

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (in recovery)

Illness:  Katy Keeling, Noreen

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly