This Sunday, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, the Church also marks the 60th World Communications Day. This year’s theme, “Preserving Human Voices and Faces”, was introduced by Pope Leo XIV in his message published on January 24, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of writers and journalists.
The pope’s message is a timely reminder that amidst the rapid pace of technological evolution—particularly the rise of artificial intelligence—we must ensure that technology remains a servant to humanity, not a force that replaces or undermines our inherent human dignity.
With the ongoing development of digital technology, the human voice and countenance can now be fundamentally altered or even fabricated by technical means.
It is vital to remember that every person is created unique and unrepeatable in the image and likeness of God. Yet, these technologies can transform us into someone else or mislead us into thinking we can disregard or even surpass God’s creation. Such arrogance—where humanity attempts to play the role of the Creator—inevitably gives rise to profound moral and ethical dilemmas that cannot be ignored.
From 9–12 December 2025, the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Office of Social Communication [FABC-OSC] held a gathering in Hong Kong titled “Artificial Intelligence and Pastoral Challenges in Asia”. More than 30 Asian media representatives attended to share their perspectives.
During the opening Mass, Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J. emphasised that society cannot simply reject AI. Instead, as Catholic communicators, we should uphold the spirit of the gospel and use these tools to promote genuine human encounter.
“If AI is practical for the Church, we should use it to facilitate deeper spiritual encounters during meditation and the sacraments, as well as to enlighten our thinking.”
Indeed, the Diocese of Hong Kong has already begun utilising AI to develop catechetical tools and plans to launch a mobile application designed to provide self-service answers to common questions of faith, bridging technology with pastoral care. [See reports in Kung Kao Po on 21 and 28 December 2025]
However, while AI offers significant assistance in our daily lives, studies, and work by sparking new ideas, we must remain cautious.
AI frequently generates false or ambiguous content during the creative and translation processes. Users must carefully verify the information produced and avoid placing excessive reliance on it; otherwise, it can have the opposite effect, spreading misinformation and stifling creativity.
Pope Leo has frequently exhorted both the faithful and the clergy to use AI with great prudence. He reminds us that, while AI excels at computation and algorithms, it is fundamentally “unable to share faith.”
Evangelisation is, at its heart, the sharing of a lived experience of faith and a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus in our lives.
Technology absolutely cannot replace building relationships and friendships, nor can it convey love and care among people.
As we navigate the digital age, we must maintain vigilance and a well-formed conscience to ensure that the human person remains at the centre of every communication. SE
