The panel “Faith, ethics and AI: shaping a future for global peace,» was held in New York in conjunction with the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
From campaigns against nuclear weapons and cluster munitions to recent efforts to raise awareness about killer robots and drones, religious leaders have consistently advocated for the ethical use of technology to safeguard humanity.
“The religious community has evolved over millennia with the changing signs of the times. Indeed, printing and translation transformed the way people understood their faith,» said Ryan Smith, representative of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to the United Nations in New York. “Today we are entering a time where technology can learn and we must be diligent in how technology and our deep understanding of faith work together.»
There is an urgent need to address the ethical implications of technologies that may affect global peace and security, particularly in the context of autonomous weapons systems, or “killer robots.”
Religious leaders and peacemakers are increasingly calling for a reevaluation of new technologies. As the Future Summit at the UN addressed the themes of “digital and technology” and “peace and security”, the involvement of religious leaders presented a unique opportunity to participate in political discussions and ‘influence AI governance frameworks that prioritize human dignity and progress. global peace and security.
For Isabelle Jones, of the Campaign to End Killer Robots, “technology can and should be used to promote peace, justice and human rights, but for this to happen we must be responsible for the development and use of the new technologies we create and the roles they play. They play in our lives. We have the opportunity to do this.»
The Multifaith Advisory Council‘s Peace and Security Working Groupp will bring together religious actors, technology experts, policymakers and broader civil society at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly to explore the nuances of artificial intelligence and its intersection with religion. Advocacy materials will be produced based on the main conclusions of the discussion.
Other speakers included Doctor François Kuria, Secretary General, Religions for Peace; Rene Holbach, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs; and Zeshan Zafar,commissioner AI Faith and Civil Society Commission.
The event was co-organized by the WCC, the ACT Alliance, Religions for Peace, the Lutheran World Federation, Finn Church Aid, the Network for Religious & Traditional Peacemakers and Baha’í International community.
WCC President shares his thoughts on the UN Future Summit – WCC interview, September 25, 2024
WCC welcomes adoption of the UN Future Compact – WCC press release, September 22, 2024
WCC submits comments on draft UN “Compact for the Future” – WCC press release, February 12, 2024
Learn more about the work of the Ecumenical Office at the United Nations
