On May 19th, I had the privilege of attending the commissioning ceremony for the District of Columbia’s Naval ROTC officers as they were appointed ensigns in the US Navy and second lieutenants in the US Marine Corps. It was a brilliant bluebird day with a gentle breeze that caused all the flags to flutter gracefully. Following the presentation of the colors, the ceremony began with a Christian invocation. The soon-to-be officers then took the Commissioning Oath to support and defend the Constitution, raising their right hands toward the actual Constitution, which is kept across the street from the Navy Memorial inside the National Archives building. I was present on stage as a representative of my university, which accounts for about one-fifth of the NROTC students in the District. It was one of those occasions where it’s impossible not to feel a surge of patriotism, pride, and gratitude for these young Americans. The keynote speaker was a distinguished Marine Corps lieutenant general who addressed the new officers about leadership. After reviewing his credentials and speaking with him, it was clear he had a profound understanding of the subject. He shared several points that deeply resonated with me and helped piece together some thoughts I had been pondering since a recent trip to Rome.

I found myself jotting down notes on the back of the ceremony program. His leadership advice to the officers, responsible for those under their command, was summed up in a phrase he coined: “heads up and hands free leadership. ” He emphasized not letting technology come between people. “Engage them face-to-face, and kneecap-to-kneecap. Be fully present. ” Although I wasn’t his intended audience, much of what he said clarified important design principles for artificial intelligence I had been considering from a Catholic viewpoint since attending a two-day forum on AI at the Casina Pio IV in the Vatican gardens last November. That event focused on discussing the development of AI to serve the mission of the Church.