Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong has urged Asian bishops and Church communicators to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly, calling it a “gift from God” that must be used for the good of humanity and the care of our common home.
The Cardinal delivered the message during the Opening Mass of the Bishops’ Meet–2025, currently being held at St. Francis University in Hong Kong. The three-day gathering (Dec. 10–12), organized by the Office of Social Communications, FABC, has brought together over 30 participants, including bishops, priests, and lay media professionals, to reflect on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Pastoral Challenges in Asia.”
In his homily, Cardinal Chow encouraged the Church to approach AI with hope, discernment, and ethical responsibility. “I think AI is not from the devil. AI comes from God, who helps us,” he said. “I pray that this meeting will help us, liberate us, and inspire us to work with AI to achieve the blessings God intends for us.”
The Cardinal stressed that Catholic media must uphold high moral and ethical standards, even when navigating emerging technologies. “Otherwise, how can we call ourselves Catholic media?” he asked. “When we put our hope in the Lord, we must first honor Him, not funding agents or ideologies. We need to discern God’s will for our mission in this shifting context.”
He noted that rapid social changes and the inevitable integration of AI require the Church to remain grounded in conscience and faith. Reflecting on his personal experience, he said that speaking from a well-formed conscience brings freedom, even when it provokes criticism.
“Whenever I spoke from my conscience, even when attacked, I still experienced peace,” he shared.
Cardinal Chow concluded by urging Catholic social communicators to speak from both personal and collective conscience, formed through synodal discernment. “Speaking from our conscience is not burdensome, but liberating,” he said.
Quoting the words of Jesus, “My yoke is easy,” the Cardinal said that it will be so for Catholic communicators too, “when we speak with our hearts, guided by the Spirit.”
