AMID the growing use of technology, Fr. Christopher Jeffrey Aytona, O.P. urged the faithful not to allow artificial intelligence (AI) to diminish their natural intellect, saying being fully human means reflecting Christ.
The Dominican communicator made the call during the second day of the Triduum in honor of St. Dominic on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church.
Aytona, an instructor at the Faculty of Sacred Theology and former head of the UST Communications Bureau, said the faithful are called to be transformed into the image and likeness of God.
“Christ reveals [that] true greatness is not found in becoming more machine-like but more God-like. That is our vocation from the very beginning, to become and to be transformed into that image and likeness of God that we all inherited,” Aytona said.
He warned that in the age of AI, human worth should not be reduced to performance or computational power.
“We admire speed more than wisdom, efficiency more than compassion, information more than contemplation, and productivity more than relationships. We risk believing that the more we imitate machines, the more successful we become,” he said.
Aytona said AI should instead be used for the purpose for which it was created: to serve the common good.
“Artificial intelligence may process information with astonishing speed, but it cannot love as a mother loves her child. It cannot forgive an enemy from the heart. It cannot console a grieving friend with genuine compassion. It cannot adore God in prayer. It cannot freely choose holiness. It cannot become a saint,” he said.
The Dominican priest said St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers that runs UST, remains relevant today because he preached not only correct doctrine but also the truth about the human person.
“Dominic contemplated the face of Christ so deeply that he himself became a transparent witness to Christ. People did not simply hear Dominic speak. They encountered him in the mercy, humility, and truth of Jesus,” Aytona said.
Aytona urged Thomasians to pursue knowledge, excellence and technological innovation without sacrificing wisdom.
“Never allow information to replace contemplation, and never allow artificial intelligence to diminish your natural intelligence, your moral conscience, and your capacity to love,” he said.
Describing AI as one of the “greatest achievements” of human creativity, Aytona said it should assist people rather than take control of human nature. Alexandra Gabrielle C. Mansineros
