Faith in AI

A new grant called 'Faith in AI' is funding the creation of anti-technology spaces, according to the Loyola Maroon. The initiative appears to pair conversations about faith and artificial intelligence with deliberately tech-free environments, giving participants room to step away from devices and reflect on technology's role in spiritual and community life.

Pope Leo XIV has called on the Catholic Church to form an alliance with artists in response to the rise of artificial intelligence, arguing that algorithms lack the human spark that drives genuine creativity. The pontiff positioned art and faith as shared defenses of human dignity and meaning at a time when AI-generated content is rapidly spreading. The remarks add the Vatican's moral voice to the growing global debate over AI's impact on culture and work.

Faith-based community groups in areas where Microsoft is building data centers are asking the company to contribute 1% of project costs to local causes, arguing it should be a good neighbor. According to Ars Technica, Microsoft has so far gone quiet on the request, with critics saying its neighborly claims remain unproven while the expansion of AI infrastructure strains local resources.

The New York Times reports that Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma, an AI executive with no prior gaming experience, as the new head of Xbox. After a decade of finishing third behind Sony and Nintendo in the console wars, the company is hoping her AI background can reshape the gaming division's strategy. Commenters are debating whether an outsider without gaming roots can revive Xbox's fortunes.

The Catholic University of America is convening faith, technology and business leaders for a discussion on the future of artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity. The event reflects growing interest in how religious and ethical perspectives should shape AI development, bringing voices from traditionally separate sectors into one conversation about technology's role in society.

The New York Times reports that Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah spent months consulting religious scholars and thinkers from many faith traditions on how to give the Claude AI assistant a moral character. The scholars described the conversations about instilling ethics into artificial intelligence as striking and unexpected. The reporting has drawn attention to how leading AI companies are turning to religion and philosophy to guide chatbot behavior.

Pope Leo and AI company Anthropic are at odds over the question of whether artificial intelligence can have a soul, according to a MarketWatch report. The dispute touches on a debate the Catholic Church has increasingly engaged with as AI systems grow more capable, raising theological and ethical questions about machine consciousness and human uniqueness.

Hashtags around artificial intelligence, AI-generated art, Heritage Month and faith are trending across South African Mastodon instances, based on activity from non-automated accounts. The mix suggests online conversations are connecting AI creativity with Heritage Month, which falls in September in South Africa, and with themes of belief and identity.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, addressed the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence at a study day held at Comillas University. Drawing on the encyclical 'Magnifica Humanitas', he reflected on how human dignity and technological development can be seen as complementary rather than opposed, contributing to the Vatican's ongoing engagement with the ethical questions raised by AI.

A prominent Christian scholar known for work on artificial intelligence and human flourishing is scheduled to visit Whitworth University, a Christian institution in Spokane, Washington. The event signals growing interest among faith communities in how AI shapes human life and ethics. Further details about the speaker and the event program have not been provided.

Italy's Carabinieri are positioning themselves at the forefront of the country's digital defence. At a meeting held at the Salvo D'Acquisto barracks, the force discussed artificial intelligence and cyber threats, underlining that, while remaining faithful to tradition, it is pursuing a leading role in prevention and protection strategies against online attacks.