The Alignment Problem: Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Tradition

About this episode

The episode explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human values with insights from Father Philip Larrey.

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues , hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett explore the complex intersection of artificial intelligence and human values with Father Philip Larrey. Under the title "The Alignment Problem: Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Tradition," the conversation delves into the philosophical distinction between a machine's ability to "select" and a human's capacity to "choose". Father Larrey shares insights from his extensive work with Silicon Valley leaders and the Vatican, addressing critical issues such as the "black box" of AI decision-making, the ethical implications of the European AI Act, and how ancient wisdom from thinkers like Aristotle can provide a necessary framework for navigating the future of generative AI. Read the summary here. Fr. Philip Larrey, Ph.D., is a Catholic priest and professor of philosophy at Boston College, where his work focuses on the philosophy of knowledge and the impact of the digital era on society. He previously spent over 20 years in Rome, serving as the Chair of Logic and Epistemology and Dean of the Philosophy Department at the Pontifical Lateran University in the Vatican. As the chairman of Humanity 2.0—a…

People in this episode

Hosts: Whitney McKinley, Katrina Gouett

Guest: Father Philip Larrey

Topics covered

• artificial intelligence
• human values
• ethics
• philosophy
• decision-making
• generative AI

Keywords

• alignment problem
• AI ethics
• decision-making
• European AI Act
• Aristotle
• philosophy of knowledge

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Boston College, Vatican, Humanity 2.0

Books & works: Connected World, Artificial Humanity

More episodes of Deep Learning Dialogues

• The Messy Middle: Navigating Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom · June 11, 2026 · 45 min
• Critical Thinking, AI Co-Authorship, and the Future of Academic Writing · June 4, 2026 · 49 min
• The Cognitive Death or Deeper Thinking? The AI Tug-of-War · May 22, 2026 · 53 min
• The First Draft: Preserving the "Friction" of Human Thinking · April 2, 2026 · 39 min
• Levity and Learning: AI Leadership at St. Benedict CSS · March 27, 2026 · 34 min
• Students Leading the Way with Benny's Innovator Group · March 19, 2026 · 55 min