The Catholic Church and communication experts have raised concerns over the growing misuse of artificial intelligence, warning that deepfakes, voice cloning and other forms of digital manipulation are increasingly threatening human identity, dignity and public trust.
The concerns were raised on Friday during the 60th World Communications Day celebration held at St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos, under the theme: Human Voice and Face: Safeguarding Our Identity and Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
The event, organised by St Augustine’s Major Seminary in collaboration with the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria(CAMPAN), Jos Archdiocese, brought together clergy, academics, seminarians and media professionals to reflect on the growing impact of artificial intelligence on communication, education and human relationships.
In his welcome address, the Rector of St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Hassan, said while artificial intelligence has created enormous opportunities for evangelisation, education, healthcare and communication, its misuse presents serious ethical and spiritual dangers that society must confront.
He observed that manipulated images, misinformation, cyber exploitation and addictive digital culture were already weakening authentic human relationships and distorting reality.
“Particularly concerning is the possibility that AI systems may influence human thought, manipulate public opinion, erode privacy and deepen social divisions,” he said, warning that young people remain especially vulnerable to harmful digital cultures capable of weakening reflection, discipline and spiritual depth.
Fr. Hassan stressed that technological innovation must never be allowed to redefine truth, conscience and personhood, insisting that technology should remain at the service of humanity.
“How do we embrace innovation without losing our humanity? How do we use artificial intelligence without allowing it to redefine truth, conscience and personhood? How do we ensure that technology remains a servant of humanity and never its master?” he asked.
He maintained that no machine, regardless of its sophistication, could replace human conscience, compassion and moral wisdom.
“No algorithm can substitute for compassion, moral wisdom or the transforming grace of divine encounter, he added.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Godfrey Danaan of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Jos, warned that artificial intelligence had advanced beyond convenience tools into systems capable of manipulating reality, reproducing human identities and influencing public perception.
He explained that AI-generated deepfakes, face-swapping and voice cloning technologies now make it increasingly difficult for people to distinguish authentic content from fabricated material, exposing individuals and institutions to fraud, impersonation, blackmail and reputational damage.
“People are no longer safe as AI now reproduces human voices and faces that can hardly be differentiated from their original versions, making everyone vulnerable“, he warned.
According to him, deepfake technologies are increasingly being deployed for financial crimes, political warfare, scams, kidnapping and social manipulation, with victims often unable to defend themselves once manipulated content spreads online.
He described artificial intelligence as the most disruptive technology in human history, noting that it has transformed education, healthcare, commerce, religion and governance, while also raising serious ethical concerns.
Danaan, however, acknowledged the enormous benefits of AI, including improved communication, expanded access to education and enhanced evangelisation, stressing that the technology itself was not evil but required responsible use and effective regulation.
“The systems are what we make them out to be, and there are people behind the technologies“, he said, adding that AI must remain a tool for human development rather than a force that undermines human dignity.
He called for stronger digital literacy, critical verification of online content and stricter oversight of AI developers and users, warning that societies risk drifting into an era where truth and fiction become increasingly difficult to distinguish.
Also speaking, Professor Chris Gonsum said there is growing concern globally over the effect of artificial intelligence on human cognitive abilities, particularly among students who increasingly depend on AI-generated materials for academic work.
He observed that while AI has improved access to information and learning resources, excessive dependence on it may weaken memory, reasoning and critical thinking.
“The danger comes when people rely entirely on AI without personal engagement. Instead of reading and thinking critically, many now depend completely on machines. This creates dependency,” he stated.
Gonsum maintained that artificial intelligence should function as support for human intelligence rather than a replacement for it.
“AI should augment human intelligence, not replace it. Decline occurs when people depend on AI mindlessly and abandon critical thinking,”he added.
Across the presentations, participants repeatedly stressed the need for ethical responsibility in the development and use of artificial intelligence, insisting that technological advancement must always uphold truth, accountability and human dignity.
