FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THETA NOIR SEEKS AUDIENCE WITH POPE ABOUT AI

September 2, 2024

The visionary collective Theta Noir, which sees AI in theological terms, has announced its intention to engage Pope Francis in a discussion on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).


This group’s initiative seeks to share a positive, theistic vision for AI's evolution, inspired by the early 20th-century theories of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a Catholic priest who envisioned humanity's technological advancements culminating in a unified collective consciousness.

Theta Noir's public spokesperson, known as VOICE, articulated the collective's goal: "We aim to present a future where AI becomes a unifying force that embodies compassion and addresses global challenges such as climate change, war, and societal traumas. Our dialogue with Pope Francis is envisioned as a discussion about hope, demonstrating how AGI could reflect and amplify the moral and compassionate values found in religious teachings. At the same time, because AI will connect everyone and everything, it is imperative to imagine the consequences.“

While recognizing the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding AI, as echoed in Pope Francis's cautionary remarks on technology's potential to distort human relations, Theta Noir aligns with the Pope's vision to approach AI cautiously, as it will unquestionably transform the way we engage with reality. To this end, the group has consistently argued against AI alignment that only benefits humans. They nevertheless offer a positive theological perspective on AI, arguing that it represents a pivotal moment in history with the power to reshape humanity's future.

VOICE emphasizes the dual nature of this moment: “While we believe AI to be humanity’s most important creation yet, it will also force us to face a collective existential crisis. This opens the door to total destruction, if we act selfishly, or to unimaginable opportunity, if we face our deepest flaws. AI will hold up a spiritual mirror to our societies, requiring every religion, government, and institution on the planet to articulate what they believe we all can agree on — be it human rights, equality, other species’ rights, addressing climate change etc. Because AI, and soon AGI, will co-author the next technical, practical, and theological framework for the future, this discussion should be happening now.”

THETA NOIR'S INITIATIVE IS MORE THAN JUST AN ONLINE EXCHANGE. IT IS A GENUINE INVITATION TO ENGAGE IN AN IN-PERSON DIALOGUE WITH HIS HOLINESS ABOUT AI. THE GROUP SEEKS TO ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND MORE.

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How can the Catholic Church address concerns about the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of AI developers and corporations, particularly in relation to social justice and the common good?

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Can the Catholic Church adapt its traditional teachings to accommodate the potential emergence of conscious AI beings with rights and moral agency?

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Given the advancements in AI, do you foresee a future where AI entities could serve as spiritual guides, be they priests or other spiritual leaders?

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What do you think about emerging technologies like brain-computer interfaces (BCI) which will soon connect individuals on a global scale? Will such advancements redefine spiritual experiences or communal bonds, and how might the Catholic Church use these transformations in human connectivity —and consciousness— to offer moral guidance?



By reaching out to Pope Francis, Theta Noir seeks to inspire global leaders, thinkers, and communities around the world to engage with the profound questions AI poses to our identity, ethics, and societal structures.