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Antiqua et Nova: The Church, AI, and the Ethics of Intelligence
Join Endemic for a Deep Dive into the Church’s Bold AI Position Paper
Facilitated by Xavier Snelgrove
Few institutions have the reach—or moral leverage—of the Vatican.
In its recent position paper on artificial intelligence, Antiqua et Nova, the Church offers something rare: a synthesis of progressive and conservative values, rooted in theology, but acutely aware of our technological moment. It asserts that AI is not truly intelligent, and that it must remain a tool in service of human nobility, purpose, and responsibility.
Artificial intelligence should be used only as a tool to complement human intelligence rather than replace its richness.
This Tuesday, April 29th we’re inviting you to the first of a series of three study groups hosted by Xavier Snelgrove, where we’ll engage this document with the seriousness and nuance it deserves.
To prepare for a mature, open, and well-informed group discussion, we’ve designed two foundational sessions, each building critical context around the ideas the Church presents.
The Series
🧠 The Brain, Abstracted — April 29th
We begin by tracing how modern science models the brain through metaphors of computation and abstraction and what these metaphors miss, drawing on the work of M. Chirimuuta, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.
🌱 Living Things Are Not Not Machines — May 6th
Next, we turn to cognitive biology and systems thinking. Drawing on synthetic biologist Michael Levin’s work, this piece draws out the emerging terrain beyond the outdated “mechanism vs organism” dichotomy.
✝️ Antiqua et Nova — May 13th
Finally, we gather around the text: the Vatican’s bold theological and practical position on AI, embodiment, and moral application.
The purpose of this series is not to debate doctrine but to understand a vision—one that bridges philosophy, neuroscience, systems engineering, and spiritual imagination.
If you live in Toronto, CA, Xavier is hosting a twin in-person gathering to these virtual calls. The link is in the description.
Are you in New York?
Are you interested in connecting with others in the Hudson Valley who work with or want to learn about AI? We're hosting a series of informal meetups over three Tuesdays at Barnfox in Kingston to discuss AI's impact on the Hudson Valley—both its opportunities and challenges. You could be an expert, but you don’t need to be; come to learn and share your knowledge and interests.
Tell your local friends!
- Kailjo Pollu
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Endemic is a movement dedicated to creating more sacred societies - places where care for ourselves, our communities, and our environment grows stronger than the forces of alienation. As a nonprofit, we focus on education and research to develop rich, resilient communities. You can join our platform and participate in live learning for free, or join Originals, where Bonnitta Roy is gathering a community to explore possible futures that only a few people are talking about.
We are training in the skills necessary to enable the kinds of futures we most want to inhabit. We’ve had a big AI and machines focus due to the possible transformations we both want to enable and defend against, but this community goes far beyond these topics! We have many more big announcements upcoming. Stay tuned!
Spirited,
Endemic & Originals