I think we will need several anti-AI patron saints, before the current folly has run its course.
If Twere Only True
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Donald, the AI genie is out of the bottle and it’s not going back in.
The following is my personal opinion as a free citizen. Now I don’t want people here to get the wrong idea. The overwhelming majority with whom I work are professional nukes and don’t compromise on safety, even in the case of AI. And overall, Neutrons ‘R Us has proven to be a great place to work, and we are developing a great design, so don’t ever let my negativity imply otherwise. A complaining sailor is a happy sailor.
Now the control plan I wrote on AI for Neutrons ‘R Us is up for signing by appropriate managers. I expect it to get rejected by at least one person for some nit that I didn’t catch even after resolution of all review questions (because of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, the nuclear industry uses a very formal and well documented process of review, commenting, and resolution – everything is documented and nothing is hidden). I will say that my boss and dept head have been wonderful and fully supportive: if AI will be used for safety, QA, or regs, then there are a whole host of things to be done to control, independently check, and monitor its use. Also, the majority of reviewers, being professional nukes, have been absolutely outstanding. A couple even have advanced degrees in AI. The only one I had a problem with is the department of your profession, Donald. First time in a half century of doing nuclear that I have ever gotten push back like that. But suffice it to say the steering group on AI (very senior level people) is meeting today to review overall progress, so I am hopeful. Thankfully good people are in this group.
BTW, I asked to never get an assignment like this again because I’m no expert in this field, and I dislike dealing with senior level people. My request was denied. Also, I don’t trust AI one iota. Not one damn bit. Again, my personal opinion.
LQC:
“I don’t trust AI one iota. Not one damned bit.”
You have a lot of company. AI is what the current culture is ,,,stupid.
Closer to the truth: scientist, philosopher, and Catholic saint Albertus Magnus built a human being who could answer any question, named Thomas Aquinas.
LQC,
I will hope the AI built by Neutrons R Us ..works better than my “tech is us” corporation. I am required to use this ..assistant..in my job, so customer service calls first require some 5-10 seconds extra while the tool decides what “might” make sense, then I select the one that fits. More though, ..I remember looking at analysis charts produced for “weather is us” when I was a forecaster. I gained the distinct impression that programmers … didn’t understand weather very well.
..I don’t want to know how much we spent for analysis charts nobody used.
Sadly, AI will be here to stay.
However, AI’s current use reminds me of when microwave ovens first hit the scene. “Experts” insisted they could bake cakes and brown roasts. Eventually, they became second string appliances (even for bachelors) and used for what they did well and only where it made sense.
I do *not* think AI will be as benign as a microwave oven. There is far less potential for deception with a microwave….
[…] Analysis, Punditry, News, and Anecdotes:If Twere Only True – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American CatholicSacrality or Vulgarity – Nelson […]
The Catholic Thing website has an article about AI, “Notes on a ‘Great Reset’” by Francis X. Maier:
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https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2025/08/06/notes-on-a-great-reset/
Computer models are out of the bottle.. this whole marketing strategy of calling such AI can be undone.
David WS:
Time to make an AI Sr. to raise AI Jr. in the Faith.