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LOYOLA CENTRE FOR MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
THE WORLD COMMUNICATION DAY
By Christine Masivo, Cps
The World Communications Day was celebrated enthusiastically this year as all Catholic media organizations came together for a Holy Mass and gathering at the Assumption of Mary Parish in Umoja, Nairobi. The Mass was led by His Excellency Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya. Focusing on the theme of Pope Francis’ message for the 58th World Communications Day in 2024, “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication”, the Nuncio urged the faithful to use media diligently. He commented that computers have now managed to deceive human beings. He reiterated Pope Francis’ words that communication and media are good things that have consumed humanity,
but we are increasingly disconnected from each other, focused only on “me and my phone”.This is very worrying because day after day it cuts people off from interacting with those around them, valuing virtual things over reality. Everyone must be conscious of how they use social media and ensure we maintain the dignity of every person, not destroying each other online. The big questions posed on this important day were how do we communicate in this digital world? How do we use AI? How do we use digital information? We are all called to live out our great vocation to uphold human dignity in full and respect everyone, using digital communication prudently and responsibly, as brothers and sisters, as mature men and women in Christ as He wishes us to be. So that when we leave this world we will hear the words “Well done my good and faithful servants.”
Being a day to also celebrate mothers, the Nuncio called on every person to be a servant leader as our mothers are – offering themselves fully for the family no matter the situation to ensure everything goes well. Without mothers, there is no place called home. A mother has a central place in the family because everyone relies on her care, love and attention, though they are often left in the background despite doing a lot for the family. Mothers stand for human dignity for children and husbands.
Fr. Andrew Kaufa from AMECEA, the social communication coordinator and a consultor at the Dicastery of Communication in the Vatican present emphasized the use of Artificial Intelligence AI and said that it is here to stay and all of us should use it constructively. In an era where technological advancements are reshaping the way we live, work, and communicate, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformative force. AI has the potential to enhance efficiency, productivity, and even creativity. In the field of communication, AI-powered tools can analyze vast amounts of information, generate content, and facilitate interactions in ways that were previously unimaginable.However, the integration of AI into our daily lives also raises significant ethical and existential questions. What happens when machines begin to mimic human intelligence and behavior?
How do we maintain our humanity in the face of increasingly sophisticated technology? These questions are not merely theoretical; they touch upon the core of our identity and our relationships with one another.
