Lizzie Swanson ’28
Chief News Editor
Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of government and academic research. Understanding artificial intelligence and the ethical and moral concerns behind its usage is crucial for students and academics alike as they continue on their scholarly journey. This past month on Oct. 6, Associate Professor of Philosophy Joseph Vukov PhD of Loyola University Chicago arrived to campus with a warm welcome from Holy Cross’ IT Department as well as members of our community who work directly with AI implementation in the classroom. Professor Vukov is a member of a research group that is sponsored by a dicastery (branch) of the Vatican relating to AI usage. The group plans to publish a book in January 2026 which will be available both online and in print relating to how humans interact with AI models. Professor Vukov was able to give an exclusive sit down interview with The Spire as well as present in Rehm Library, titling his discussion, “Staying Human in an Era of Artificial Intelligence.” During his time at Holy Cross, Professor Vukov emphasized the danger of viewing AI like a human being. Discussing the importance of differentiating the conscious mind versus the unconscious mind, he stated that human beings, as emphasized by Catholic Social Teaching, have inherent human dignity, worth, and rights. Artificial Intelligence poses a very real threat when it undermines human relationships.
Professor Vukov emphasized the importance of using AI responsibly and with purpose relating to furthering the human spirit. When asked if using artificial intelligence was ever justifiable, Vukov responded, “There are situations where AI is going to be morally permissible and even a moral good. It’s specifically going to be in those situations where it’s serving human ends.” He continued, using various examples in healthcare, navigation, and drudgery work that, if done by an AI, might free up time for humans to connect with one another in meaningful ways. However, there’s a balance to be struck when finding ways to limit human suffering while still maintaining an ethical approach to work. “Making life easy and eliminating work is not always eliminating drudgery because there’s dignity in being able to do work.” By using AI to, for example, downsize jobs, Vukov argues that it takes away from a human’s dignity to be able to do a job and instead replaces it with a tool. One of the largest dangers of increased AI usage is the dehumanizing effect it might have on society.
Discussing the environmental impacts of AI, Vukov does not believe that humanity should abandon this new technology because of these concerns. “The environmental costs come at the cost of all the other goods that we are trying to pursue which is really frustrating because it’s a part of the Catholic tradition to think carefully about the environment and the way in which human dignity is caught up in environmental concerns.” He continued, stating “I really do think we need to take environmental concerns seriously. Does that give you sufficient reason to say I’m never going to use AI? I don’t think it can because if it did, it would also show that we can’t use modern technology (air conditioning, cars, etc.)” Catholic Social Teaching provides a framework for what ethical AI usage might look like – a world in which human dignity is at the crux of the decisions we make.
Following his interview with The Spire, Professor Vukov hosted his talk at 7 p.m. with both students and faculty in attendance. He began by explaining how we are all living in two worlds: The Human World and The Post-Human World. The Human World consists of connection, leisure, freedom, and authenticity. The Post-Human World is made up of monetized entertainment to keep us as stimulated as possible. By spending too much time in the Post-Human World, Vukov argues, we may lose our grip on reality. When people visualize how AI might “take over the world,” many envision a Terminator type of reality. However, the real danger would be losing human connection. Professor Vukov encouraged the audience to question the ways in which AI makes them more human versus robotic. Examining your own personal relationship with artificial intelligence could prove to be helpful especially in this ever changing world of new technological advances, all of which come with a set of new ethical guidelines to be followed.
Featured image courtesy of Loyola University Chicago
Copy Edited by Lily Wasmund ’28
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