Artificial intelligence is changing how we search for information, write, create, learn, and even pray. But what happens when AI enters the life of the Church?
In this episode of Brave New Us, Samantha Stephenson sits down with Tim, creator of Chatechism, one of the most ambitious Catholic AI projects to date. Together they explore not only what AI can do for Catholics, but also where it should—and shouldn't—go.
Rather than offering easy answers, this conversation wrestles honestly with some of the biggest questions facing the Church in the age of artificial intelligence: Can an AI ever be trusted with spiritual guidance? What responsibilities do Catholic developers have toward truth, ecology, and the common good? Should AI help write homilies or daily reflections? And what might faithful innovation actually look like?
Whether you're excited about AI, deeply skeptical, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a thoughtful Catholic framework for engaging one of the defining technologies of our time.
In this episode:
Why Catholics shouldn't simply fear artificial intelligence—or embrace it uncritically.
How large language models actually work, and why hallucinations remain one of their biggest limitations.
Why Chatechism was created and the vision behind building a distinctly Catholic AI.
What makes a trustworthy Catholic AI different from a generic chatbot trained on religious content.
The ethical responsibilities of Catholic AI developers, including concerns about bias, reliability, environmental costs, and cooperation with morally problematic technology companies.
How one Catholic family is navigating AI with children of every age—from toddlers to adults.
The risks AI poses to education, creativity, and authentic human formation.
Whether AI-generated spiritual reflections and homilies enrich the Church—or risk displacing the unique work of the Holy Spirit through human authors, pastors, and communities.
Why Catholics need to help shape the future of artificial intelligence instead of watching from the sidelines.
Tim's answer to the Brave New Us closing question: Who best embodies what it means to be truly human?
Resources Mentioned
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Connect with Samantha
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about biotechnology, artificial intelligence, faith, and what it means to remain deeply human in an age of rapid technological change, subscribe to Brave New Us wherever you listen to podcasts.
You can also find Samantha's writing at Choosing Human, where she explores bioethics, motherhood, technology, and Christian anthropology.