ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMY, EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a watershed in the history of human civilization. It is changing our traditional pattern of being, thinking and doing as it functions smarter and swifter than the homo sapiens. Its gradual applications in economy, are making it capital-intensive and consequently has the potential of increasing the economic growth exponentially. Simultaneously it would either displace or disrupt the labour-market. Therefore, the workforce everywhere on the globe, and especially in countries where people are illiterate or backward in AI would become miserably vulnerable as they might become unemployed. In the Indian context, the most affected ones would be Dalits, Tribals, and women because they are already struggling due to Casteism, Hindutva ideology, and patriarchy. It is time to question our economic systems. Christian faith and ethics promote an economy that envisions and ensures reducing poverty and increasing equality. We approve and advocate AI as long as and as much as it serves the common good of the present and the next generations. The gospel-based principle of social justice and the reason-based principle of sustainable development have immense power to ethically regulate AI for the well-being of all.