EKPOMA REVIEW

The dawn of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has it impacts on every area of human society, including seminary formation. These impacts demand a renewed and deeper commitment from all agents involved in seminary formation, especially the formandi, that is, the one undergoing formation. Central to the formation program is the formandi who is charged not only with his personal growth in spiritual, human, intellectual, and pastoral aspects of formation, but also with embracing the reality, complexities and potentials of AI. This paper employs conceptual analysis to break down intricate concepts such as responsibility and adaptation, as related to formation and AI, in order to enhance our interrogation of the value of AI in seminary formation in the 21st century. Consequently, the paper argued that it is essential to redefine the position of the formandi from a consequentialist perspective, highlighting the need for the formandi to be both epistemically and ethically predisposed to his responsibilities in the engagement with AI. Epistemic responsibility involves having the knowledge crucial for the formandi to interact with AI effectively, while avoiding its potential negative impact on his formation for the Catholic priesthood. Moral responsibility on the other hand, predisposes him to accept the consequences of his interactions with AI. Thus, building on the idea of auto-formation, the model of responsible auto-formation highlights the need to be aptly aware of the unique challenges instantiated by this new technological advancement, ensuring it is used an effective instrument to aid seminary formation.

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