The power of human encounter in an AI world

"I am so used to seeing you behind the scenes, providing technical support to online events, that I could not imagine you were among the resource persons of the webinar." That was what my colleague admitted to me the day after the webinar where I was invited to contribute as one of the speakers.

This moment made me realize how easily we limit each other - and ourselves - to single roles, much like how we risk reducing human complexity in an age of artificial intelligence. It revealed how institutional barriers influence our professional perceptions, leading us to view people in one-dimensional ways, when in fact there is always more to discover and explore. 

The immeasurable aspect of our humanity is how I introduced my presentation at the webinar: "AI and Our Information Society: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," the first in a series on AI organized by the Faith and Science working group of the World Council of Churches, where I shared my insights. 

In a digital era where the worth of real-world encounters has been reduced by Big Tech, we need the courage to address, reflect, and rediscover our humanity, so that we can maintain a clear distinction between ourselves and apparently intelligent machines.

Faith, for me, plays a crucial role here. As Christians, we believe every person is created in God's image with inherent dignity. This conviction helps me approach AI discussions not just as learning a new tool, but as discerning how to use this technology to honor human dignity and serve the common good.

Being among two other incredible speakers reminded me of a human experience that I consider the most valuable: the power of the encounter. When we meet as humans, with our perspectives and vulnerabilities, in a humble attitude of sharing knowledge and learning from each other, being open to transformation, we fulfill, I believe, the reason for our existence: to be with others.

The webinar's narrative emerged from our collective inputs and comments, leading to a common conclusion: we must embark on a learning journey to find practical and efficient ways to navigate the new and still chaotic AI environment, while also protecting the humanity behind prompts and responses.

After that experience, I decided to formalize my willingness to support any community or organization that wants to educate its people on the use of artificial intelligence. I offer an accessible way to enter this landscape and receive ethical and practical guidance connected to specific realities.

If you are interested in learning more, go to www.valterhugomuniz.com and feel free to contact me to discuss ideas, projects, and concerns.

Whether you're a faith leader, educator, or simply someone concerned about our digital future, I invite you to start this conversation in your community. Watch the webinar below—it's an ideal introduction for those who have never considered the ethical implications of the Artificial Intelligence Revolution.

Disclaimer: Claude LLM was used to revise grammar, readability and provide feedback about narrative flow.