The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, has hosted a debate in the House of Lords on the human impact of Artificial Intelligence,  urging peers to take note of the impact of Artificial Intelligence on human relationships and wider society. The debate took place on Friday 5 June.

Hailing Artificial Intelligence as a ‘remarkable product of human creativity’ which has led to ‘extraordinary discoveries and breakthroughs’, Archbishop Sarah also stressed the importance of ensuring that human relationships, connections, creativity - as well as the future of work, democracy and our planet - are protected.

The Archbishop called on AI companies to adopt a ‘pro-human’ approach, arguing for the theological, philosophical and spiritual framework with which to make decisions about how we create, control and use AI, so that it can serve humanity, rather than diminish it.  

About The Archbishop’s Speech

In her speech, Archbishop Sarah began by stating that human beings are created in the image of God and carry inherent dignity and immeasurable value. It is this distinctively Christian understanding of humanity must shape how societies respond to the opportunities and risks of AI.

She said: ‘God created human beings in his own image, with glory and honour. Each and every one of us, regardless of who we are or what we do. We carry an inherent dignity and immeasurable value.

‘I start here because, fundamentally, our vision of what it is to be human, of our glorious humanity, must inform the rest of our debate about technology and AI.’

Archbishop Sarah said that AI and wider technologies are ‘a remarkable product of human creativity’, enabling discoveries, breakthroughs, global connection and new opportunities for work, learning and communication. But she warned that the power placed in human hands by new technology also raises urgent questions about relationships, work, warfare, climate change, democracy, information and truth.

She said: ‘Wave after wave of technological innovation is taking place as we speak, and the question we should be asking is simple: Where are we going? What is our vision for how this technology will serve human flourishing?’

The Archbishop warned that society is ‘in danger of unleashing AI into our lives and societies without the theological, philosophical and spiritual framework with which to make decisions about creating, controlling, using or directing it.’

She said: ‘Above all, we need to ensure that AI is being designed, built, regulated and used to serve our glorious humanity and not to diminish it.’

Speaking about human dignity, she said AI has the potential to enhance and protect life, including through developments in healthcare. But she also warned that some uses of AI are degrading or violating human dignity, including the use of chatbots in ways that facilitate violence against women and girls.

On the question of what gives human lives purpose, Archbishop Sarah said that work, creativity, imagination and relationship are central to human flourishing. She warned that AI will have a growing impact on employment, especially for young people, and said that political leaders must consider how to help them navigate a rapidly changing world.

She also expressed concern that over-reliance on AI could weaken critical thinking and creativity, saying: ‘The human ability to think and create surpasses the capabilities of AI. We must work to ensure our human abilities are given space to grow and thrive, to be the thinking, creative beings God made us to be.’

In the conclusion of her speech, Archbishop Sarah said that AI must be shaped by human dignity, service and the common good. ‘Technology this revolutionary must not simply be unleashed on our societies: it must be developed with us and for us - at a human pace, with human objectives.

‘Above all, we must put people - our common, glorious humanity - ahead of profit, convenience or technological progress at all costs. To ensure that we harness AI to serve humanity, to be an extraordinary tool in the creation of a more just, abundant and hope-filled world.’

Pope Leo XIV, AI and the Magnifica Humanitas

The Archbishop’s speech follows wider Christian reflection on AI, including Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which considers the ethical implications of artificial intelligence for the Church and the wider world.

In the encyclical, Pope Leo writes: ‘Technology has the power to heal, connect, educate and protect our common home; but it can also divide, exclude and generate new forms of injustice.’

The Pope also says that humanity is facing ‘a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.’

Anglicans and Scientific Debate

AI is one of the major themes that the Anglican Communion Science Commission is exploring, in its role of equipping Anglicans for thoughtful and courageous leadership in science. The Commission exists to explore ways for the science and faith communities to collaborate in response to issues impacting the world today, and to bring the ethical voice of faith to scientific debate.

The former Co-Chair of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, the Rt Revd Steven Croft has been a regular spokesperson on matters of AI in the House of Lords and internationally.

Read Archbishop Sarah’s full speech.

Read Magnifica Humanitas.

Find out more about the Anglican Communion Science Commission