The Catholic Church has reminded learners and graduates against developing knowledge and understanding solely based on technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

This has been the message during the 15th graduation ceremony of St. Lawrence University where Msgr. John Wynand Katende from Kampala Archdiocese said learners have less of creative and productive minds, all they want is to employ technology which most times abuses human dignity that the Catholic Church strives for.

At the graduation held under the theme; “Embracing AI in Contemporary Higher Education”, over 520 students graduated in different fields with Degrees and Diplomas, and Msgr. Katende cautioned the students against over-reliance on AI, emphasizing that while technology can be a powerful tool, it is no substitute for human ingenuity and creativity.

Msgr. Katende adds that God equipped human beings with a powerful tool, the brain, which is capable of solving complex issues and creating innovative solutions which should be jealously protected rather than solely relying on AI.

Msgr. Katende’s remarks come at a time when AI is increasingly being used in various fields, including education, healthcare, and business. 

Meanwhile, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, the  Vice President of Uganda and  Chancellor of St. Lawrence University, speaking at the graduation disclosed that the university is going to increase in investing in high performance computing facilities, advanced network infrastructure labolatory to facilitate research hence helping the easy integration of AI.

Alupo meanwhile challenged graduates to make a difference in the world through being disciplined, self driven and duly balanced. 

By Charles Katabalwa

20 February 2025

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