Joseph Vukov
Vukov Published by New City Press, "Staying Human in an Era of Artificial Intelligence"
Joseph Vukov, Associate Professor in Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Associate Director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage, recently published a book, Staying Human in an Era of Artificial Intelligence, with New City Press (2024).
“Dr. Vukov’s insightful book is reflective of the College’s commitment to interdisciplinary growth, ethical reflection, and service to others,” said Peter J. Schraeder, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “He offers a unique perspective on the critical challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) which in turn encourages us to reflect on what it means to be human.”
Vukov hopes this book will serve as a guide for those concerned about the role Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play in the future, as well as provide a look into AI’s intersection with the Catholic faith tradition.
“While the technological landscape is changing, having that foundation of what it looks like to be a human being is something I want to hold onto, and in the book, I’m trying to give my readers a push towards holding on to that kind of vision,” Vukov said to John Lavenburg in a recent interview with CruxNow.com.
As AI becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, Vukov examines the complexity of this technology and the ways it mimics human behavior. The book serves as both a warning about the potential dangers of AI and a reminder to remain true to our humanity and faith.
In exploring the current state of AI, Vukov addresses how the Catholic tradition helps distinguish between the human-like qualities of AI and what truly defines us as human.
While AI may be able to mimic human behavior, AI lacks subjective experiences and the kind of embodiment that are foundational to human experience. Vukov senses this is an “evangelical moment” for all Catholics to reflect on what their tradition teaches about being human.
Vukov went on in the interview to note that, “I push fellow Catholics, and really anyone who’s thinking about these issues, to think through what are acceptable uses, what are unacceptable uses, where are sectors that could probably help us a little bit, and where are sectors where, if we let it, [AI] could really take aways aspects of our humanity that are really valuable?”
Vukov's research explores questions at the intersection of ethics, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind, and at the intersection of science and religion. His latest publications include The Perils of Perfection (2023) and Navigating Faith and Science (2022). His work also regularly appears in a range of media outlets, including this podcast with AMDG Jesuits. He was named a Sujack Master Teacher in 2020. Vukov also serves as the Vice President of Philosophers in Jesuit Education.
Learn more about Jospeh Vukov and Loyola University Chicago’s Hank Center.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest of Loyola University Chicago’s 15 schools, colleges, and institutes. More than 150 years since its founding, the College is home to 20 academic departments and 37 interdisciplinary programs and centers, more than 450 full-time faculty, and nearly 8,000 students. The 2,000+ classes that we offer each semester span an array of intellectual pursuits, ranging from the natural sciences and computational sciences to the humanities, the social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. Our students and faculty are engaged internationally at our campus in Rome, Italy, as well as at dozens of University-sponsored study abroad and research sites around the world. Home to the departments that anchor the University’s Core Curriculum, the College seeks to prepare all of Loyola’s students to think critically, to engage the world of the 21st century at ever deepening levels, and to become caring and compassionate individuals. Our faculty, staff, and students view service to others not just as one option among many, but as a constitutive dimension of their very being. In the truest sense of the Jesuit ideal, our graduates strive to be “individuals for others.”
Joseph Vukov, Associate Professor in Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Associate Director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage, recently published a book, Staying Human in an Era of Artificial Intelligence, with New City Press (2024).
“Dr. Vukov’s insightful book is reflective of the College’s commitment to interdisciplinary growth, ethical reflection, and service to others,” said Peter J. Schraeder, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “He offers a unique perspective on the critical challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) which in turn encourages us to reflect on what it means to be human.”
Vukov hopes this book will serve as a guide for those concerned about the role Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play in the future, as well as provide a look into AI’s intersection with the Catholic faith tradition.
“While the technological landscape is changing, having that foundation of what it looks like to be a human being is something I want to hold onto, and in the book, I’m trying to give my readers a push towards holding on to that kind of vision,” Vukov said to John Lavenburg in a recent interview with CruxNow.com.
As AI becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, Vukov examines the complexity of this technology and the ways it mimics human behavior. The book serves as both a warning about the potential dangers of AI and a reminder to remain true to our humanity and faith.
In exploring the current state of AI, Vukov addresses how the Catholic tradition helps distinguish between the human-like qualities of AI and what truly defines us as human.
While AI may be able to mimic human behavior, AI lacks subjective experiences and the kind of embodiment that are foundational to human experience. Vukov senses this is an “evangelical moment” for all Catholics to reflect on what their tradition teaches about being human.
Vukov went on in the interview to note that, “I push fellow Catholics, and really anyone who’s thinking about these issues, to think through what are acceptable uses, what are unacceptable uses, where are sectors that could probably help us a little bit, and where are sectors where, if we let it, [AI] could really take aways aspects of our humanity that are really valuable?”
Vukov's research explores questions at the intersection of ethics, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind, and at the intersection of science and religion. His latest publications include The Perils of Perfection (2023) and Navigating Faith and Science (2022). His work also regularly appears in a range of media outlets, including this podcast with AMDG Jesuits. He was named a Sujack Master Teacher in 2020. Vukov also serves as the Vice President of Philosophers in Jesuit Education.
Learn more about Jospeh Vukov and Loyola University Chicago’s Hank Center.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest of Loyola University Chicago’s 15 schools, colleges, and institutes. More than 150 years since its founding, the College is home to 20 academic departments and 37 interdisciplinary programs and centers, more than 450 full-time faculty, and nearly 8,000 students. The 2,000+ classes that we offer each semester span an array of intellectual pursuits, ranging from the natural sciences and computational sciences to the humanities, the social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. Our students and faculty are engaged internationally at our campus in Rome, Italy, as well as at dozens of University-sponsored study abroad and research sites around the world. Home to the departments that anchor the University’s Core Curriculum, the College seeks to prepare all of Loyola’s students to think critically, to engage the world of the 21st century at ever deepening levels, and to become caring and compassionate individuals. Our faculty, staff, and students view service to others not just as one option among many, but as a constitutive dimension of their very being. In the truest sense of the Jesuit ideal, our graduates strive to be “individuals for others.”