A group of around thirty priests ordained in Córdoba over the last decade has recently delved into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) during training sessions held at the San Antonio spirituality house, alongside Bishop Jesús Fernández. The meeting, led by experts such as Antonio Moreno, spokesperson for the media delegation of the Diocese of Málaga, addressed the challenges and opportunities that AI presents in pastoral and administrative work. Italian specialist Veronica Micossi, who focuses on applying AI to business processes, and Sebastián Ventura, professor and Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation at the University of Córdoba, provided philosophical and technical insights on the impact of AI. Ventura explained how AI models work and the importance of data, warning about biases and the need for critical use. Father Pablo Fernández, 29, highlighted the usefulness of AI for tasks such as summarizing ecclesiastical documents or preparing materials for retreats and presentations, while emphasizing that creativity and the human heart are irreplaceable. “AI can help, but it will never replace what is genuinely human,” he stated. Among practical uses, the priests appreciate AI's ability to generate images, organize events, or synthesize lengthy texts, such as documents from the Holy See. Tools like Magisterium AI allow for quick searches in magisterial documents, and automatic transcription helps preserve homilies without manual effort. Additionally, there are applications that generate videos about biblical figures or assist in preparing scripts for children's activities. Antonio Moreno, a journalist and digital content creator, emphasized that AI can optimize administrative and creative tasks, but insisted that pastoral work and the personal formation of the priest are irreplaceable. “Nothing replaces the person; AI is a tool, not a substitute,” he noted. Micossi, trained in Technology and AI Ethics at the University of Oxford, warned about the “digital mirages” of AI: it is not infallible, it is not neutral, it is not a friend, nor a definitive solution. She stressed the importance of understanding its limits and risks to leverage it for the benefit of people, especially in spiritual and community contexts. AI also offers advancements in accessibility, such as real-time transcription for people with hearing disabilities or automatic translations during Mass. It even allows for the restoration and animation of old photographs of local saints, contributing to the spread of popular devotion. In summary, the clergy in Córdoba recognizes the potential of AI as a valuable resource, as long as it is used judiciously and without losing sight of the irreplaceable value of the human and spiritual dimension in their mission. Source: abc.es