Could AI Give Us More Time for God? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

Artificial intelligence is changing the world at a breathtaking pace, but what happens if it changes the way we work—and even whether we work at all? On The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick responded to a thoughtful listener who worried that AI could rob people of purpose, leading to greater loneliness, anxiety, and depression. As a homeschooling mother, she had already seen how excessive technology affected her own son, who rediscovered peace and joy after spending the summer doing physically demanding work. Patrick agreed that meaningful work is an essential part of being human, pointing to the Church’s rich teaching on the dignity of labor. But he also encouraged listeners to consider another possibility. What if advances in AI eventually free people from monotonous or tedious jobs? Throughout history, technological innovations like washing machines and refrigerators have eliminated certain kinds of work while creating entirely new opportunities. Patrick suggested AI could follow a similar pattern. Rather than seeing only the dangers, he invited listeners to imagine the potential benefits: more time for creativity, stronger family relationships, and even deeper spiritual lives. “If we... use these tools in a virtuous way, with an eye toward improving things... think about prayer, think about the other things that could come full flower as a result of people not having to go to work every day.” Co-host Cyrus raised an important concern about the difficult transition period as jobs change. Patrick acknowledged that disruption is real but noted that history shows people have consistently adapted to new technologies and found new ways to contribute. While the future of AI remains uncertain, Patrick encouraged a balanced perspective, one that recognizes both its risks and its possibilities. Technology is not good nor bad; what matters is how we choose to use it. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.