Seoul Archbishop: Human Dignity Must Remain Central in Age of AI

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul has called for greater attention to human dignity in an age of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, warning against judging people solely by their abilities, productivity or efficiency.

In his message for Korea’s Liberation Day on August 15, Archbishop Chung said the growing influence of AI should prompt society to examine whether technology is being used to strengthen human relationships and protect the vulnerable.

“As we live in an era where AI takes over more tasks, we must carefully examine whether technology is used to help the weak and deepen human relationships,” he said. “It is also worth reflecting on whether the benefits of technology are limited to a few, creating new alienation and inequality.”

Korea’s Liberation Day, known as Gwangbokjeol, commemorates the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule in 1945. Observed in both South and North Korea, August 15 has also become an occasion for prayers for reconciliation and the eventual reunification of the divided peninsula, which has remained under an armistice since the Korean War ended in 1953.

Archbishop Chung linked the protection of human dignity with the pursuit of reconciliation between North and South Korea.

“Protecting human dignity should not stop at caring for individual lives but also lead to healing the relationships within the society we live in,” he said. “Even in the reality of deepening division and conflict in our society and nation, we must respect one another and open the path to reconciliation and peace.”

While expressing hope that North and South Korea will resume meaningful dialogue for peace, Archbishop Chung urged people to address hatred and distrust in their own daily lives.

“To carry forward the true meaning of liberation in our lives today, each of us should refrain from rejecting words and choose the path of understanding and dialogue,” he said.

The archbishop also reflected on the coincidence that Liberation Day falls on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated by Catholics worldwide on August 15.

He pointed to Mary as an example of a life rooted not in power or personal ability but in communion with God and love for others.

“The Assumption of Mary reveals that the true greatness of humanity does not lie in our strength and abilities, but in the communion and love we achieve with God,” he said.

Archbishop Chung noted that Mary endured poverty and displacement and witnessed the death of her Son on the cross, yet remained faithful to God’s word.

Her example, he said, offers a path toward a society in which human dignity, dialogue and reconciliation take precedence over power, division and distrust.