By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Nigerians, particularly Christians in Benue State, have been advised to note that no matter how useful and simple artificial intelligence, AI, has made easy different aspects of life through technology, it could not replace what human beings would do physically.
Leader of the Catholic Church in the world, Pope Francis gave the advice at a seminar organized by the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in collaboration with Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, CAMPAN, to mark the 58th World Day of Communication on the theme: Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication held at the Holy Ghost Parish Multi-Purpose hall, Makurdi.
Pope Francis whose massage was presented by the Director of Catholic Communications, Diocese of Makurdi, Rev. Fr., Moses Iorpuu acknowledged the role artificial intelligence is already playing in all facets of life but warned against its replacement to human knowledge and understanding.
The Holy Father, in the massage advised the people to know that in as much as artificial intelligence could do what human beings are doing, people should equally know that such machines could not work on their own without human beings, or could apply human wisdom.
Pope Francis insisted that machines or artificial intelligence could not replace what a person would do, arguing that such machines could either not be intelligent on their own without using human efforts.
He warned that over dependence on those machines created by human beings would enslave mankind contrary to the natural laws of creation by God.
In a paper presentation, Rev. Fr., Terungwa Tor, enumerated the many benefits of artificial intelligence, AI, in modern technological world, but argued in line with the Pope that over-dependence on the AI technology was dangerous, stating that though people prefer artificial intelligence on the basis that it performs very fast, works that human beings could do with slow speed, insisted that no matter the advantages on AI, over-dependence on the technology would in the near future lead to many disadvantages including thousands of people losing jobs thereby, causing massive unemployment to the world population.
In a welcome remark, chairman, Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, CAMPAN, Benue State chapter, Rosario Orsar described the topic for the 58th communication day as apt, acknowledging that the seminar would deepen understanding of participants in their ability to use artificial intelligence, AI.
In separate goodwill massages, former state Chairman NUJ, Martins Kajo, chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, John Shiaondo and national treasurer CAMPAN, Josephine Nyiakura; all commended the media communication department of Makurdi Catholic Diocese for putting together the seminar noting that it would deepen knowledge.
Kajo particularly assured that journalists would give the one week activity wide coverage.