The pervasive influence of artificial intelligence is undeniable, infiltrating sectors from Hollywood to holy pulpits. Pope Leo XIV recently cautioned Roman Catholic priests against using AI for sermons, asserting that it "will never be able to share faith," a core aspect of homilies. He urged clergy to resist the temptation and craft their own words, highlighting a traditionalist stance that is increasingly marginal in today's tech-driven world.
AI's Unstoppable Force Across Industries
Beyond religious settings, AI is proving to be an unstoppable force, with applications spanning entertainment, defense, and journalism. However, consensus on guidelines and guardrails remains elusive, fueling high-stakes battles. In one prominent conflict, AI company Anthropic is negotiating with the Pentagon over restrictions on military AI use, with national security and lucrative contracts hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, Hollywood writers' unions are fighting to protect their members' livelihoods from automation threats.
Journalism's AI Revolution and Internal Strife
In journalism, AI is a hotly debated topic. Chris Quinn, editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, criticized US journalism schools for not adequately preparing students for an industry where AI is becoming integral to workflows. He revealed that his newsroom uses AI to draft stories from reporters' notes, freeing journalists for investigative work, with editors reviewing outputs before publication. This approach sparked controversy when a fellowship candidate withdrew her application after learning she would file notes to an AI tool rather than write stories herself, citing a mismatch with her journalistic aspirations.
Quinn defended AI in a letter to readers, stating, "Artificial intelligence is not bad for newsrooms. It's the future of them," and urged aspiring journalists to immerse themselves in the technology. This view drew backlash from professionals like Phil Lewis, a Huffington Post editor, who argued on social media that editors encouraging such practices should resign. Similarly, Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, bluntly told staff at outlets like Business Insider and Politico, "The truth is, you either embrace AI or you die," acknowledging job losses but emphasizing AI's role in preserving other positions through a strengthened business model.
The Challenge of Regulating Rapid AI Advancements
At Columbia University's journalism school, research into how newsrooms are adapting to AI revealed a fluid landscape. Standards-and-practices editors struggle to keep pace with evolving technology, as guidelines quickly become outdated. An AI product manager at the Associated Press encapsulated the sentiment in internal messages, declaring "Resistance is futile" and noting that many editors might prefer AI-written articles over human ones, according to a Semafor report.
To mitigate risks, experts recommend maintaining "humans in the loop," ensuring reporters and editors review AI-generated content before publication. Yet, misuse persists; for instance, the podcast network Daily News Now produced an average of 11,000 episodes daily using AI, often plagiarizing local news reports without credit. Conversely, AI has enabled groundbreaking journalism, such as an AP investigation into police-related deaths, demonstrating its potential as a powerful tool when used ethically.
Balancing AI's Promise and Peril
At this early stage, AI presents both immense opportunities and significant dangers. Its ability to enhance efficiency must be weighed against ethical concerns and job displacement. As industries grapple with integration, the key lesson is to use AI wisely—or, as Pope Leo XIV might advise for priests, perhaps not at all in contexts requiring human soul and faith.
