Rome Call for AI Ethics
On October 15th, 2024, the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group was accepted as a signatory for the Rome Call for AI Ethics.
The Rome Call for AI Ethics is an agreement to promote ethics in the development and use of artificial intelligence. Signatories include: churches, corporations, and government bodies from all around the world. To read the Call, click here, or on the logo on the right.
Why did we sign the Rome Call?
The Canadian Council of Churches Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group is applying to become a signatory to the Rome Call for AI Ethics for several reasons. First, the rapidity of change in the implementation of increasingly advanced AI applications (including brain-computer interfaces, the use of service robots, and the weaponization of AI) appears equally likely to harm as to support humanity. To ensure the ethical development of AI will require a concerted effort from business, academia, governments, and all faith traditions, which is what the Rome Call models. Second, the recognition that effective global regulation of these new technologies requires regulation across all international spheres not just at national or regional levels. Third, there is increasing interest from member churches in Canada to themselves consider becoming signatories to the Rome Call. The members of the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group have individually received endorsement from their member denominations to support the FLSRG becoming a signatory to the Rome Call. The Governing Board of The Canadian Council of Churches has also voiced its approval for this Rome Call application.
In signing the Rome Call, we promise to:
On behalf of The Canadian Council of Churches, the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group commits to on-going theological and ethical reflection on new developments in artificial intelligence.
- We have co-hosted with the Faith and Science Working Group (Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, World Council of Churches) an international Zoom webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 at 1500hrs Eastern Time entitled – “Theology and Artificial Intelligence- Systematic and Denominational Perspectives”. Panelists include Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Very Reverend Dr. Aristarchos Gkrekas, Prof. Dr. Cory Labrecque, Prof. Dr. Gayle Woloschak, and Prof. Dr. Tracy Trothen
- We will continue to educate member denominations and Canadian Christians generally about the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence and to support the six principles of the Rome Call. We will engage with national and international partners about the principles of the Rome Call and encourage our partners to consider becoming signatories to the Rome Call.
- We have asked that the Governing Board endorse and support the decision of the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group to sign the Rome Call for AI Ethics and further, to call on member churches to study and consider endorsing the Rome Call for themselves.
- We will engage our partner organizations, including the Faith and Science Working Group of the Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, World Council of Churches to consider becoming a signatory to the Rome Call. This would be a 6-12 month endeavour.
