The Future of AI

With many of the industry leaders in emerging tech and artificial intelligence in Seattle University’s backyard, the university is poised to position itself among the academic leaders in this space.

So says Father Paolo Benanti, an expert on AI and ethics in Rome, who stresses the value and importance of a Jesuit, Catholic university—in a world-class city of innovation—when it comes to conversations around these new technologies and their ethical implications and how to apply them in ways that speak to our humanity.

“Seattle University is a special and unique place, located in a city with many of the biggest IT and tech companies,” says Fr. Benanti. “To be in a place where the future is happening is very exciting.”

This summer Father Benanti returned to Seattle University as a Distinguished Visiting Professor. Fr. Benanti’s first visit to SU was in June 2023, when he was a presenter at the first Ethics and Tech Conference. Fr. Benanti, a professor in Rome and a Rome Call for AI Ethics Advisor to Pope Francis, is a member of the United Nations Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence.

During his month-long stint on campus that began in late July, Fr. Benanti helped support SU’s work in ethics and technology; his visiting professorship was at the invitation of President Eduardo Peñalver and Provost Shane P. Martin, along with the deans of the College of Science and Engineering and the Albers School of Business and Economics.

Having an ethics and tech expert like Fr. Benanti on campus is part of a commitment—reinforced by the recently established Technology Ethics Initiative—to enhance the university’s work on ethics and AI and how SU can be a leading voice in this ever-evolving global conversation.

“In this journey, we must never abandon ourselves to the machine—our task is always to stick to a deep path of discernment.”

—Father Paolo Benanti

As Distinguished Visiting Professor Fr. Benanti spent time with business and engineering faculty and students, along with meetings with industry and community leaders including weekly visits with leadership teams at Microsoft.

“It’s been very exciting to be able to engage with the academic community of Seattle University and to undertake something that covers different disciplines,” Fr. Benanti says. “This was a truly valuable experience for me to be able to contribute to the educational mission of Seattle University.”

The path to becoming an expert in ethics and tech began for Fr. Benanti when he was an undergraduate student. Before joining the Franciscans, he studied engineering and learned about scientific and technical language. Then he went on to focus on philosophy and theology in Assisi, continuing with a licentiate in moral theology at the Gregorian University. (While at SU Fr. Benanti could often be seen around campus in 
his Franciscan robe and with a warm smile on his face.)

After earning his doctorate Fr. Benanti started a teaching career, lecturing at the Gregorian and leading courses on neuroscience, ethics and AI, among 
other subjects.

“Today, this task, which I pursue with passion, allows me to share knowledge with students. I fully share the values of the Gregorian and the mission of the Jesuits to whom it is entrusted,” he says. “Universality and cura personalis can be valuable tools for a serene development and peaceful coexistence of different peoples in the face of the challenges of artificial intelligence.”

College of Science and Engineering Dean Amit Shukla, PhD, says Fr. Benanti’s visiting professorship is a testament to the university’s expansion of thought leadership around ethics and tech.

“Fr. Benanti is a global leader on ethics and AI. His leadership on ethical AI development, global policy framework and strategies to mitigate risks while maximizing AI’s potential for societal benefit is exactly what is needed in the current climate where technology is changing rapidly,” says Shukla. “We were delighted to host Fr. Benanti at Seattle University to engage our broader community around this topic as the greater Seattle area is the hot bed of innovation in AI.”

At last year’s Ethics and Tech Conference, Fr. Benanti—who today still teaches at the Pontificia Universita Gregoriana—was awarded the inaugural “Excellence in Ethics” award for his leadership in this field.

When it comes to AI, Fr. Benanti views it as a useful tool, one that can be applied for good and for learning in traditional educational settings—with potentially rewarding interdisciplinary application—“helping to prepare now for the challenges of tomorrow,” he says.

Fr. Benanti emphasizes what he views as beneficial aspects to using AI and programs such as ChatGPT.

“As academics, we have the task of considering artificial intelligence systems. There are many of them and some of them are revolutionizing access to culture and information. Integrating them into teaching and research can be helpful in increasing their reach and depth,” he says. “In this journey, we must never abandon ourselves to the machine—our task is always to stick to a deep path of discernment.”

Exploring Seattle, particularly the Puget Sound waterways and nature walks, tapped into Fr. Benanti’s roots as a Boy Scout. He particularly marvels at all the lush green spaces throughout the region.

“As a Franciscan priest, exploring Seattle is an unbelievable gift,” he says. “It touches my heart.”