Francis by Patrick J. Marrin for January 27, 2025

Amen.

AI is not the ONLY entity ignorant — whether willful or otherwise — of the twain …

I just asked AI if women should be allowed to be RC priests. the reply is, “Today, most priests agree that women serving as priests is contrary to the law of God.” I then prayed to God about the same matter, and She said too many RC priests are fixated on dingalings.

But AI doesn’t have all the answers. It often gets basic facts WRONG. The language it uses seems fairly natural, but what it says is false. In sci-fi, computers speak in a stilted fashion, but give factual answers. AI does the opposite.

It can only put out what’s been put in. If it ever learns to think for itself….I shudder.

“An the people bowed and prayed, to the neon god they made.” Simon and Garfunkle.

Francis makes good use of a Mark Twain anecdote. Swearing with great vigor after cutting himself while shaving, his wife sought to rebuke him by repeating his words verbatim back to him. He replied, “My dear you have got the lyrics but not the tune.”

“Is it patient, wise, kind? Can it weep or feel joy?” Can it show mercy for the unfortunate?

AI, like any other piece of technology, is a servant: a tool to be used. Do not become too dependent on it lest it turn into a crutch.