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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform our world it risks outpacing the kind of reflection necessary for establishing ethical guardrails. At its best, AI can amplify human potential; at its worst, it can undermine trust, erode dignity, deepen inequality, and facilitate deception. The time to agree on universal ethical standards for AI is now, and the place to lead the charge is here at home.
At St. Thomas University, located in the heart of one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech hubs and most culturally diverse global cities, we believe the future of technology depends on the values we embed in it today. Since becoming president in 2018, I’ve been proud to help lead our university’s efforts to answer that call by serving as a center for the development of ethical AI standards that aim not just to make us smarter, but wiser as well. Our framework stands out among others because it echoes our late Pontiff’s call for technology to serve “integral human development,” offering a uniquely holistic approach to the future of applied AI (Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 2020). While inspired by Catholic social teaching, these standards are meant for everyone–their application is universal, because the ethical challenges of AI affect us all.
To that end, earlier this year, we launched the Artificial Intelligence Research & Ethics Network (AIREN). Working within our Institute for Ethical Leadership, AIREN is partnering with AI experts and scholars from around the world to identify, review, and organize scholarly information in a free publicly searchable research database that will aggregate and critique content in AI ethics such as studies, articles, legal and ethical opinions, just to name a few.. We are also actively working to produce an “Ethical AI Labeling Program” that evaluates AI software and companies for transparency, efficacy, bias and benefits. Because while AI may help us become smarter, only humans can choose to be wise. While opinions will vary, we believe wisdom is a distinctly human trait and it’s our responsibility to apply it in how we navigate and leverage this technology.
Our university’s commitment to developing these ethical standards should not surprise anyone familiar with our institution. At STU, ethical instruction is an area of emphasis for all students regardless of their chosen major or intended career path. Whether you are working towards a degree in our College of Business or Nursing, students are required to take courses in ethical leadership.
STU’s proposed ethical standards are:
- Respect for Human Dignity – AI systems must honor a person’s dignity by safeguarding their privacy, ensuring informed consent, and preventing exploitation.
- Promotion of the Common Good – AI should be oriented toward the welfare of all, especially the vulnerable, and designed to reduce inequalities and foster human development.
- Transparency and Accountability – AI must be developed with mechanisms for transparency and clear accountability with ethical oversight
- Enhancement of Human Capabilities – AI should augment human intelligence and creativity
- Stewardship of Creation and Peace – AI development must align with ecological ethics and reject any use that threatens human life, dignity or the environment 6. Formation in Solidarity and Participation – AI should offer all–especially the technologically marginalized – the opportunity to actively participate in its development
- The Primacy of Human Judgement & Control – AI should always be directed toward human flourishing and safeguard human judgment and decision making.
While many focus on AI for the Common Good, our standards are grounded in a human-centered approach – placing human flourishing at the core of innovation. For us this means human development, well being, and meaningful enrichment. Once focused on academic integrity and social divides, the risks of AI now threaten our autonomy and ability to shape the future. STU’s standards tackle these concerns head-on, demanding accountability to ensure AI empowers–rather than diminishes–the humanity of both present and future generations. We invite anyone interested in supporting our work to contact Jaime Franco, PhD at jfranco2@stu.edu. Together, we can ensure AI reflects our highest ideals alongside our greatest capabilities.
