MSSP youths explore ethics of AI at Bible & Beer event

What happens when ancient wisdom meets cutting-edge technology? That was the central question animating the 10th edition of Bible & Beer, a popular discussion series hosted by the MSSP Oratory Youth, which turned its focus to the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence (AI) and its ethical implications.

Held in the MSSP Oratory grounds in Birkirkara, and partially sponsored by APS Bank, the event was fully booked, attracting a wide spectrum of young adults, students and professionals. It offered a rare space where meaningful conversations could unfold; conversations that engaged the mind, heart and one’s conscience.

Dylan Seychell, a resident academic at the University of Malta’s Department of Artificial Intelligence and a specialist in computer vision, kicked off the panellists’ input. He spoke candidly about the ways in which AI is not only changing how we work and communicate, but also how we understand ourselves. “We’re not just automating tasks,” he said. “We’re quietly reshaping our ability to think critically, to relate, to perceive what is true.”

As AI systems become more present in everyday life, the concern isn’t only whether they can perform better than humans, but whether humans will stop performing altogether, relying on machines to make decisions for them.

His reflections resonated with the young audience. “I came here thinking this was just about tech,” said Maria, a university student, “but it turned into a conversation about what makes us human. It really challenged the way I think.”

The event was held in the MSSP Oratory grounds in Birkirkara.

‘Shared responsibility’

Building on this, Kenneth Brincat, CEO of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, brought much-needed clarity to how these challenges are being addressed at a policy level. Outlining the key principles of the new EU AI Act, he explained how AI systems are being categorised according to their potential risk − from those that are now outright banned to low-risk tools guided by voluntary codes of conduct.

His message was clear: legal frameworks alone cannot ensure justice or dignity unless they are rooted in a shared responsibility. “AI must serve people, not the other way around,” he stressed, encouraging the audience to think beyond convenience and efficiency.

It turned into a conversation about what makes us human. It really challenged the way I think- Maria, a university student

The Church’s role

The final speaker of the evening, Fr Jean Gové, offered a much-needed and deeply spiritual lens to the conversation.

A philosopher of AI and representative of the Holy See at the Council of Europe’s Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI), Fr Gové invited the audience to look beyond functionality and ask deeper moral questions, such as:

• Can the use of AI be ethical in the eyes of the Church?

• What is the Church’s role in a future where jobs may disappear and relationships may be simulated by machines?

• And how do we discern what is truly of God in a world where artificial systems can mimic empathy, understanding, even spiritual dialogue?

Fr Gové’s calm, reflective tone added gravity to an already rich discussion. “As AI becomes more sophisticated in mimicking what is human – our emotions, our beliefs, our needs – we are called to be more deeply rooted in what is true,” he said. “Not everything that feels real is real.”

Participants at the Bible and Beer discussion on AI and ethics at the MSSP Oratory in Birkirkara.

‘Visibly challenged’

As the session drew to a close, the atmosphere was not only thoughtful but also energised. People stayed on to continue their conversations, many visibly challenged by what they had heard.

The 10th edition of the Bible & Beer sessions confirmed what many have long suspected: that young people aren’t afraid of complexity. They’re hungry for spaces where difficult questions can be asked, questions about technology, morality and the very meaning of being human. And when such spaces are created, they don’t just listen. They engage.

If the last session’s full house was any indication, Bible & Beer has tapped into something vital. And as the world continues to evolve, it’s clear that this community is committed to grow, question and journey together, one honest conversation at a time.

Fr Giovann Tabone is a member of the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP).

For more information, visit the MSSP Oratory Facebook page.