The rise of AI and what it means for Business Leaders.
Dear International CAPP friends,
The French Chapter has been working for the past 12 months on a new paper focused on the rise of AI and what it means for Business Leaders.
As Catholic leaders, we embrace and welcome the change AI is bringing to our organizations, while drawing from our CST roots the foundations needed to guide this transformation toward the greater good. We believe AI can be a turning point for humanity, and that it is up to us to decide in which direction.
With this in mind, in order to formulate clear recommendations to Business Leaders (Christian or not), we’ve explored its implications and its growing use in our organizations through the four dimensions of CST:
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Its impact on Human Dignity, primarily through its impact on work, but also the risk of losing our free will and becoming enslaved by that technology – or if properly guided, through its potential to free human beings;
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The constant tension between acting for Common Good and what AI means for value creation and integral progress, with the risk that AI ultimately benefits only a fraction of humanity (namely those who control it);
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As value creation is being redefined, profit sharing is also being redefined and potentially so is the very notion of solidarity. AI will change our societal and organizational models, while also allowing new forms of solidarity to emerge;
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Management by trust and subsidiarity will be transformed as AI starts making decisions for humans, and understanding who retains ultimate responsibility will be central to defining the organizations of tomorrow.
You will find on Page 17 our 10 recommandations for Business Leaders inspired by these principles.
I would like to borrow one paragraph from the conclusion, which I found particularly enlightening:
« If Jesus were to speak to us today about artificial intelligence, he would undoubtedly speak to us neither of code nor of algorithms. He would speak to us of the human heart. He would remind us that “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” (Mk 7:15). He would invite us not to fear the machine, but to guard against the pride of wanting to make ourselves gods through it. He would reiterate that true intelligence is not about knowing or predicting, but about loving; that true power lies in service, and that true light comes from grace.
In this context, the parable of the talents takes on new resonance: the master entrusts to each according to his ability, not so that he may keep it, but so that he may make it bear fruit. He will return, and will ask an account not of profitability, but of faithfulness. Artificial intelligence multiplies the capacities put at the service of talents: it increases power tenfold, accelerates production, and automates creation. But humanity remains accountable for the meaning of what it multiplies. To use AI without a moral purpose is to bury one’s talent in the digital earth, to render it barren in the master’s forgetfulness. Conversely, directing this power toward the common good, dignity, justice, and peace is truly making the talents received from God bear fruit. »
You will find attached the paper in English, French and Italian (also shared with the Foundation for publication on the CAPP website).
We hope you will enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed exploring this fascinating and humbling revolution which is taking our organizations by storm – and about which Christians have much to say, and a responsibility to show the way!
We would be thrilled to continue the conversation, so please do not hesitate to share your feedback and comments!
Best regards,
Romain Lavault
On behalf of CAPP France.