Catholic University Establishes New AI Institute, Headed by Microsoft Executive Taylor Black
In an interview with Kimberley Heatherington, the founding director of a new interdisciplinary institute on artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies at The Catholic University of America, Taylor Black, a deacon candidate for the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix and the current director of AI & Venture Ecosystems in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft, discusses the role of AI in society and the university's approach to this transformative technology.
According to Black, AI does not have a telos or an ultimate end/goal of its own. It merely follows the instructions given by its programmers and developers. This insight is significant as the new AI degrees offered by Catholic University are designed to blend the Catholic intellectual tradition with every aspect of study, aiming to enrich the understanding of the human person and what human flourishing means in light of this technology.
The university has launched new undergraduate and graduate AI programs this fall, which incorporate ethics and interdisciplinary problem solving. The institute, which gathers faculty from across disciplines, will bring all departments within the university together to explore how AI changes the nature of work and the university as an institution, and how it affects grading, being a student, and how one learns.
The Catholic Church, with its 1.4 billion members worldwide, has a significant role in influencing how technology affects human flourishing, as many of its members are involved in the creation and governance of technology-related interests. Black emphasises that the church should respond to advances in technology such as AI and avoid being sidelined by powerful interests.
The institute will also investigate new ways of providing different economic models for the university, not just for Catholic University, but for universities across the United States. Furthermore, it will globally engage in partnerships with other universities and outside organizations.
Black does not view AI as a threat to humanity, but rather as a tool that can be used for good or ill, depending on human actions. He believes there has never been a real tension between faith and reason in the context of science and technology. The institute's plans include helping new graduates understand how to utilize artificial intelligence in a human flourishing manner and providing a holistic approach to understanding AI.
The institute's launch comes at a time when there have been numerous Vatican conferences focusing on the topic of AI. The article also touches on the topic of how the church should respond to advances in technology such as AI and how to avoid being sidelined by powerful interests.
This article was written from Virginia. The new institute at The Catholic University of America is set to make significant strides in bridging the gap between technology and human flourishing, providing a unique perspective on AI and its impact on society and the university.
Read also:
- Electric-powered vessels take to the waters of Maine
- Elon Musk accused by Sam Altman of exploiting X for personal gain
- Comparing the value of top electric scooters: Kinetic DX versus Bajaj Chetak versus TVS iQube - Which one offers the best bang for the buck?
- American Eagle's risque promotional effort featuring Sydney Sweeney leads to the brand being categorized as a 'trendy stock' among teenagers.
