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Carlo: We’ve both watched the world change drastically, and now it is nearing rapid technological advancements. Myself (Saint Carlo Acutis) and Saint Francis of Assisi both agree the world needs to be informed. Heaven has sent us to deliver this message to warn the world of the growing problems of artificial intelligence (AI), and social media in this technological revolution.

Carlo: I’ve watched the advancements of technology, and I understand why you have a smartphone. They have become an essential part of everyone’s lives because of their use in relaxing, learning, or being entertained. Along with this, AI and social media access has increased to the point where you interact with it daily. Society may consider AI usage as instantly evil, however not all use of AI and social media. In Laudato Si’ Pope Francis explains “technology itself is not the problem it’s just how we use it.” Now in this new digital age, AI has become an active decision maker in your daily lives. AI has made software development, analytics, and identifying critical diseases easier.

Francis: However, Carlo, you also need to consider what AI does to the environment and how it can take us further from God.

Francis: Pope Francis has said that these AI models use extensive amounts of power and water, being the fifth largest power consumer in the world, one minute of AI video generating takes the same amount of water as 3 hours of Netflix. Additionally, massive amounts of land are required for these data centers and manufacturing facilities produce hazardous chemicals and fumes. This ultimately has disrupted the natural living patterns of animals and displaced them.

Carlo: I know this is true however; Francis has forgotten to consider how AI benefits the environment. AI can be used for monitoring ecosystems, helping to preserve animal species, and having it do dangerous tasks instead of humans. The world needs to be able to use the power of AI for the greater good of the environment and consider the two sided effects it creates.

Francis: AI’s use in social media algorithms adds to the endless barrage of information pulling us further from God and making us more feeble in spirit. Pope Francis has informed me on the relationships people are making with these AI algorithms, that have no emotion or a real conscience. Everybody needs to do take time from days to distance themselves from algorithms and reflect on your actions.

Carlo: Social media platforms make you unwillingly compare your life to others creating an unwanted desire for more and distracting you from appreciating what God has already blessed you with. Your constant phone scrolling and barrage of content hinders your ability to pray towards God as your mind does not take the time to slow down and reflect.

Francis: On top of the effects on your mind, these social media platforms have begun to control your actions. Now, everyone’s identity is determined through engagement with these AI algorithms which seek to change you as a person making your behavior align more with online trends than your own values. Social media creates a push for material gains over true fulfillment and gratification causing a degradation of your mind.

Carlo: Another issue that has come up with social media is its use by governments to gather information on people. There have been many times since my death where social media has been used by governments to track protestors and monitor people based on their religion. This goes against the Catholic social teaching that everyone is sacred and should have privacy. Surveillance by the governments removes people’s dignity as what they do in private should only be known by themselves and God. Private companies have also used social media to track people’s opinions on topics and attempt to change those options. This goes against the Churches belief that everyone is made in the image of God.

Francis: When I was last on earth private thoughts were only shared with yourself and God. The collection of people’s opinions and ideas without their knowledge directly violates Dignitatis Humanae, which says that men must have immunity from external coercion and psychological freedom to seek truth authentically.

Carlo: When the government starts persecuting people for their religion or another belief, the data they are currently gathering will allow them to more easily persecute people with these beliefs.

Carlo: Now, technology has advanced rapidly since we were last on Earth, with the advent of social media and AI altering our lifestyle dramatically. AI has its benefits through simplifying everyday tasks, monitoring ecosystems, and identifying diseases. However, at a great cost to the environment; through using vast amounts of earth’s finite resources that could be used elsewhere.

Francis: Exactly Carlo and while social media at its core doesn’t draw us away from God, it’s how we use it. When people create content bragging about the material objects it takes us further from the image of God.

Carlo: Now, you may think myself and Saint Francis are trying to stop you from using these technologies, but we don’t; we want each person in society to have their own responsibility on how to use these technological tools.