Austrian bishops adopt first rules for AI in the Church

The Austrian Bishops' Conference has adopted its first rules on the use of artificial intelligence in the Church, declaring that AI may never take the place of human relationships, pastoral conversations, or the rites of the Church.

“The use of AI in the celebration of the sacraments, preaching, liturgy, or pastoral care may only be supportive,” a core provision of the new framework states. “Replacing human relationships, pastoral conversations, community, or rituals with AI is inadmissible and is expressly rejected.”

The bishops published the provision in their press statement on Thursday, explaining: “Particularly in preaching, liturgy, and pastoral care, the irreplaceability of personal encounter and human relationship must be preserved.”

The full document section is titled “Framework Regulation on the Use of AI Systems in the Catholic Church in Austria and Its Institutions.” It takes effect once it is published in the next official gazette of the bishops' conference. The bishops met in Salzburg from Monday to Thursday.

“Artificial intelligence is reaching ever more areas of life. The opportunities it brings are matched by high risks,” the statement said. “AI…