From Radio to AI. Old and new trends in the Catholic Church’s approach to technological innovation

Through a historical and theological overview of the Catholic Church’s response to information communication technologies (ICTs), this article provides the groundwork for understanding current Church discussions about artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing on primary sources, namely papal speeches and Vatican documents, as well as other secondary historical and critical sources, the article details how the Catholic Church has managed over the decades to strike a balance between its evaluation and policies toward technological innovation, and the potential ethical and spiritual risks to which technology exposes society. Special attention is also given to shifts within the pontificate of Pope Francis towards promoting a much more pragmatic approach to ICTs, which has impacted current debates in the Church and approaches towards AI and what this might mean for future responses to emerging technology.