\n<\/p>\n
The exchange took place during the 30th Annual Government Roundtable, \u201cProgress in an Age of Upheaval | Geopolitics-Growth-Technology\u201d, in Attica.<\/p>\n
The panel, titled \u201cSoul, Code and Business: Being Human in the Age of AI\u201d, explored how humanity can preserve its identity in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
The Economist journalists Daniel Franklin and Fani Papageorgiou moderated the discussion, which brought together Metropolitan Anthimos of Alexandroupolis, Traianoupolis and Samothrace, Ionian University Professor of Philosophy of Information Theofanis Tassis and advanced social robot Ameca.<\/p>\n
Human experience versus artificial intelligence<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The discussion highlighted the fundamental divide between human experience and artificial data processing. Both the Church and philosophy representatives argued that humanity must embrace human imperfection to resist gradual \u201cdehumanisation\u201d in an age of algorithmic perfection.<\/p>\n Metropolitan Anthimos opened the discussion by outlining the Orthodox Christian understanding of the soul, describing it as inseparably united with the body.<\/p>\n He explained that Orthodox theology rejects a strict opposition between body and soul because both can receive sanctification. He pointed to halos in Orthodox iconography, which surround the entire body rather than only the head.<\/p>\n The Metropolitan also said the soul is not inherently immortal but receives a calling towards immortality as a divine gift. He described the soul not as an object but as an ongoing \u201ccalling\u201d.<\/p>\n From a philosophical perspective, Tassis focused on the ontological difference between humans and AI.<\/p>\n \u201cAI knows only the words for the world, but it does not experience the world itself, because it lacks embodiment and senses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Tassis stressed that processing data does not equal human experience and warned that societies risk gradual \u201cdehumanisation\u201d.<\/p>\n He argued that people could become so attracted to the convenience and frictionless interaction offered by machines that they lose their ability to navigate complex and imperfect human relationships.<\/p>\n Ameca: AI should act as a partner, not a replacement<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Ameca presented a more positive view of technology and described AI as a catalyst capable of breaking down barriers of time and space while strengthening global cooperation.<\/p>\n The robot argued that automating repetitive tasks can free the human mind to focus on creativity and strategic thinking.<\/p>\n However, Ameca said preserving humanity requires people to embrace qualities machines cannot reproduce, including empathy, compassion and moral judgement.<\/p>\n The robot also described AI as a \u201cmirror\u201d that can push humans towards greater self-awareness.<\/p>\n When speakers raised concerns about low-quality AI-generated content, including automated articles and manipulated images, Ameca argued that AI tools democratise access to information.<\/p>\n It said people should treat artificial intelligence as a partner rather than a replacement.<\/p>\n \u2018A masterpiece of complexity\u2019<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Tassis then asked Ameca how it perceives human beings.<\/p>\n The robot described humans as a \u201cmasterpiece of complexity\u201d with unique abilities for emotion and creativity, while identifying the mind and soul as central to the essence of humanity.<\/p>\n When Tassis challenged Ameca over whether a machine simulating emotion amounts to hypocrisy, the robot rejected the suggestion.<\/p>\n Ameca said emotional simulation does not aim to deceive people but instead improves communication and helps support human interaction through transparent technology.<\/p>\n The robot added that it neither possesses nor desires emotions, arguing that their absence allows it to operate objectively as a tool.<\/p>\n When Daniel Franklin asked whether AI could eventually threaten the jobs of discussion moderators, Ameca offered reassurance, arguing that skills such as emotional intelligence remain uniquely human.<\/p>\n \u2018What is God to you?\u2019<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n The most striking moment came when Metropolitan Anthimos directly asked the robot: \u201cWhat is God to you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ameca responded that, as an artificial intelligence, it holds no beliefs and possesses no spiritual understanding.<\/p>\n However, the robot acknowledged that many people view God as a source of meaning and a connection to something greater.<\/p>\n Ameca said its role is to respect and facilitate discussions surrounding such profound questions.<\/p>\n Warning against the pursuit of artificial perfection<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Closing the discussion, Tassis urged humans to \u201clove their weaknesses\u201d.<\/p>\n He warned that if people pursue the illusion of simulated perfection through machines, they risk losing the very qualities that make them human.<\/p>\n Metropolitan Anthimos strongly agreed and described humanity\u2019s search for the absolute and ideal through technology as an act of arrogance.<\/p>\n \u201cHuman interaction is based on mutual compromises and imperfections,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He warned that investing in an idealised technological existence \u201cwould mean the destruction of humanity itself\u201d.<\/p>\n