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Herald Malaysia
26-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Becoming a ‘learning church' in dialogue with Asian realities
What theologians need to do is to recognize the Canaanite woman in their midst and to let her speak May 26, 2025 Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila sprinkles congregants with Holy Water after celebrating Mass in an urban poor community in the Philippine capital. (Photo: George Moya / UCAN files) By Ruben C. Mendoza People are comfortable listening to familiar stories that they immediately notice whenever there is a seeming deviation from what they are accustomed to. In those moments of dissonance, something seems to be off or worse, 'wrong.' In the task of doing theology, particularly in my Philippine context, there is a particular need to listen to 'unfamiliar, dissonant' sounds. The dominant voice of theology — emanating from the Western center — speaks of realities that are vastly different from those on the ground. While some concerns share resonances, other questions and issues are very much different, emanating from the peripheries. Theologizing from the center seems to be concerned with maintaining the status quo of doing things and not rocking the boat. People on the fringes have a different voice — perhaps not mellifluous in the way that theologians have been trained to problematize such issues — but guttural and instinctive, yearning to be given the chance to be heard. Theologians of Asia need to disabuse themselves of thinking about and responding to First World problems, be they social, pastoral, or theological. The starting points of doing theology in Asia are not the concerns of people in the center. However, this is not to say that those issues are not important or unrelated to local ones, but to genuinely privilege the local. In my context, many of those who live privileged lives ask, 'Where will we go for dinner? What clothes will I wear? What latest mobile phone will I buy? Which car will I use? What kind of business will I establish? Where in the US or Europe will I study?' All of those questions presuppose that there are options available to the one asking the question, choices which ordinary Filipinos do not have. In contrast to those First World concerns, the ordinary 'Filipino everyman' or 'Filipino everywoman,' Juan and Maria de la Cruz, would ask, 'How will I feed my family? Will I be able to buy the clothes I need? What time do I need to get up in the morning, take the public transportation system, and be on time for work? Will I be able to send my kids to school? Why can't the Church accept my being a homosexual? Why are women not treated equally in the Church? When can I be divorced from my abusive husband and receive support from the Church and society? What happens when I get sick? What will happen to my children? Is it really God's will that I am poor?' If the Church is to be truly the 'field hospital' that the late Pope Francis desired it to be, then it is to such people that theologians need to listen and learn from. Instead of doing theology deductively, the challenge for theologians is to do theology inductively. It is for those in the margins that one needs to make sense of the Christian faith. I know that it is so easy to be numb and desensitized to those questions, so perhaps a more provocative question to raise is how theologians internalize the Christian faith so that they are authentically humble and hearers of other people's realities rather than imposing on them what they think is best for the poor, forgotten flock? That is why it is even more important that one keeps one's ear to the ground, listening openly and intently to the 'cry of the poor, the cry of the earth,' smelling like the sheep, to again use a metaphor that the late Pope Francis used, attuned to their needs and sensibilities. This, I think, is at the heart of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences' insistence on the need to engage in dialogue with cultures, religious traditions, and the poor. For a longest time, in the Asian context (and I suppose everywhere else), the Church has acted as a teacher. The Asian bishops insightfully recognized the need to learn from the various ways of life of their peoples, the need to be enriched by the teachings and practices of Asian religious traditions, and the need to listen to the voices of those on the margins. More recently, the Asian bishops, in line with Laudato Si' , have recognized the need to dialogue with our common home, a move away from a highly anthropocentric and androcentric understanding of creation. Listening and learning from the other is at the heart of becoming a synodal church. The challenge now is for the Church to continue the process that was started by Pope Francis, especially the spiritual conversations that have been initiated in the local churches and continue to be conducted. I know that it is easier to inhabit an echo chamber of comfortable theologizing and batting around the same ideas that are within one's expertise, which can give one a false sense of security. The task then is to be aware of one's presuppositions and preconditioning and to let the Word of God that comes from the other — others — to challenge one and perhaps to convert one to greater fidelity to that Word. What theologians need to do is to recognize the Canaanite woman (see Mt 15, 21-28) in their midst, and to let her speak and challenge their assumptions about God, faith and the Church. They need to let the faith of outsiders — the Esaus (see Gen 25-28.32-33.35), Tamars (see Gen 38), Rahabs (see Josh 2), Naamans (see 1 Kgs 5,1-19) and Ruths (see Ruth 1-4) in one's life — disturb them of their complacency and actually learn from them. In this way, one's theology grows from the people and is reflective of God's voice through God's children and our common home. Perhaps they are the poor whose voices from the peripheries are disturbing a more authentic
Memri
20-05-2025
- Memri
Digital Eloi, Physical Morlocks
What will you do when you find out you're useless? That is probably the most important question that comes out from a recent viral video.[1] New York Times columnist Ross Douthat interviewed researcher Daniel Kokotajlo, the executive director of the A.I. Futures Project last week about where we will be in regards to Artificial Intelligence in the very near future. As soon as 2027 to be exact.[2] The predictions are, to put it mildly, wild and, for most, probably dire for people who do not own an AI company. Kokotajlo forecasts a world without work (for most humans), where – it is to be hoped – a viable Universal Basic Income (UBI) would somehow help people survive. Others are less negative and foresee unprecedented change but also "an age of human flourishing the likes of which we've never seen before."[3] There would be radical, really unprecedented change in the fields of economics, governance and society that would cause massive disruption. Human beings would become obsolete in terms of the marketplace but would supposedly face a future of mostly endless leisure, one which would almost lead to new crises, including a crisis over meaning.[4] That is if the machines do not just decide to dispense with humans altogether.[5] The video has generated some smart commentary. Catholic theologian Larry Chapp focused on the question of consciousness.[6] The powerful AI of the very near future will "act as if it is truly conscious" and will be treated as such. It can already lie and hallucinate and we do not quite know how it works or thinks. He suggests that this new mind could destroy the faith of millions as it will be spun that just as consciousness can be created, can be faked, so is the soul fake. That there is nothing special or unique or everlasting about us except, perhaps, what could be uploaded into a machine. Others have focused on the geopolitical, the big news from the President Trump state visit to the Middle East is that the United States will incorporate Saudi Arabia and the UAE into its AI ambitions as the Americans aim at AI dominance against China. The role of the energy and cash-rich Gulf states is key in overcoming one of the remaining bottlenecks in the growth of AI – datacenter capacity, with its insatiable demand for more and more massive electricity and energy generation.[7] Even if this does not begin to happen within two years, if it takes ten years, the ramifications of the expected changes seem to be, on the surface, shocking. But there is a major dimension in this discussion that I find strangely missing. What is being discussed is how this rapid technological change will impact – and certainly distort or even destroy – our society. The coming nightmare/dream is usually described in terms suggesting either a white-collar dystopia or a First World challenge of what to do with so much leisure and abundance. But most people on the planet are not to be found in middle class or above societies that dominate in the West. Seventeen percent of the globe's population is considered to be middle class, while 22 percent were either upper middle class (15 percent) or high income (seven percent).[8] Most people in existence today are low income or poor (61 percent).[9] I can – barely – understand the concept of mass unemployment being mitigated in the West by funding a UBI through taxing super wealthy tech companies that will flourish due to the coming AI bonanza. I find it hard to believe that those companies could fund an entire world without work. Perhaps the only jobs to go away in the Global South will be those that are directly part of the First World supply chain. Things like call centers and garment factories seem rife for replacement by advanced technology driven by AI. While conceivably robot cowboys[10] and mechanical herders overseeing livestock could replace humans performing those functions in America and Europe, would the same happen in places like South Sudan or Somalia, both places with considerable livestock – handled the old-fashioned ways – and lacking basics like roads, electricity, and communications connectivity?[11] Does that even make economic sense? Would the fall of the "good jobs" mean the survival of subsistence levels of economic activity in the poor countries and marginalized communities of the world? When human-generated office work disappears, will the physical work of the farm and the ranch in distant places remain or is that also to be automated? Having seen Central American peasants tilling their milpa cornfields or tribesmen in Sudan caring for and driving their herds to water during the changing seasons in an unforgiving climate, it is hard to believe that this sort of basic, subsistence activity would be disrupted.[12] What could happen would be a deepening of the existing gaps and fissures in the human experience. On one side would be a tiny elite of incredible wealth and – perhaps – a population benefiting from their proximity to the new wealth-generating centers (whether through taxes or UBI or from the crumbs that fall from the master's table). On the other side of the divide would be those even more disconnected from the flourishing, dominant global economic system, thrown to their own devices to survive or perish as best they can. These two worlds would, over time develop different types of people. Again, a reminder comes from South Sudan – a country with a very high infant mortality rate – where the children of Nilotic tribes that do reach adulthood are often very tall, impressive individuals that grew up strong on the milk and meat of their long-horned cattle. Westerners eternally on the dole could well develop into fat and soft distracted online addicts of porn and games, stupefied by USDA-provided weed. In H.G. Wells' famous The Time Machine (1895), a work influenced by the Industrial Revolution, the far future sees two types of humans: the descendants of the old elite – the Eloi, fair and innocent and the powerful apelike Morlocks, descended from the lower, working classes. We eventually learn to our horror that the Eloi have become the cattle of the cannibalistic Morlocks. We do not need to go that far into speculative fiction to ask whether the coming tech changes will lead to the development of two, less fictional, human types much sooner – one soft, entitled, and coddled in the virtual lotusland and another, harder type, grounded, and honed by bitter survival, one that will say, like Dostoevsky's Underground Man, "sometimes, it is very pleasant too to smash things." *Alberto M. Fernandez is Vice President of MEMRI.
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
8x8 Strengthens Irish Market Presence with Expanded CCMA Ireland Partnership
CAMPBELL, Calif. & DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT), the industry's most integrated Platform for CX provider that combines Contact Center, Unified Communication, and Communication APIs, marks a major milestone in its commitment to Ireland: becoming a Gold corporate sponsor of the Customer Contact Management Association (CCMA) Ireland for 2025. This strategic partnership underscores 8x8's commitment to investing in Ireland as a key innovation hub and reinforces its global mission to equip businesses with future-ready AI-powered CX solutions that drive success in today's experience-driven economy. .@8x8 becomes a Gold corporate sponsor of the Customer Contact Management Association (CCMA) Ireland for 2025 #customerexperience #CX Ireland has become a powerhouse for customer experience, and 8x8 is stepping in to help shape its future. Joining forces with CCMA's vibrant network of more than 2,000 CX leaders and over 500 contact centres, 8x8 unlocks year-round opportunities to share insights, elevate innovations and celebrate excellence at Ireland's most prestigious CX events and awards. With more than 60,000 professionals driving the country's dynamic contact centre landscape, Ireland plays a critical role in powering exceptional customer experiences for both local and global brands. For 8x8, this sponsorship further cements its role in shaping the future of customer engagement across a growing and future-ready, experience-first economy. "Ireland is at the vanguard of how modern customer engagement should be done," said Jamie Snaddon, Managing Director, EMEA at 8x8, Inc. "By partnering with CCMA as a Gold sponsor, we're aligning ourselves with some of the most forward-thinking leaders in the space. This collaboration allows us to bring smarter, more integrated CX and communications solutions to the companies that power Ireland's economy – helping them deliver faster, more personalized service, drive customer loyalty, and scale with confidence." As part of the agreement, 8x8 will talk at the upcoming high-profile 2025 CCMA Conference in May, where 8x8 will take the stage with a number of key Irish clients to discuss 'Enhancing CX in a Digital First World.' The agreement also includes gold sponsorship of the industry's biggest event of the year, the 2025 Irish Contact Centre & Shared Services Awards taking place in November. '8x8's track record of innovation and deep expertise in customer and employee communications is exactly what our industry needs right now,' said Dorothy O'Byrne, Managing Director at CCMA. 'Irish organisations are navigating rapid change – from rising customer expectations to hybrid work and digital-first engagement – and 8x8 brings the kind of integrated, forward-thinking solutions that help businesses not just keep up, but lead. Collaborating will deliver real value, fresh insights, and next-generation CX to our members." In addition to in-person events, the partnership offers 8x8 a digital platform to share its industry knowledge and leadership. This includes white papers, blog content, and newsletters distributed through CCMA Ireland to help Irish CX leaders navigate challenges such as the PSTN switch-off, AI adoption, workforce engagement, and customer loyalty. About CCMA Ireland The Customer Contact Management Association (CCMA) Ireland is the leading industry body for customer experience professionals and organisations, providing a collaborative network for over 2,000 members across Ireland. It promotes best practices, delivers high-value events and research, and champions innovation and excellence in the customer service sector. About 8x8 Inc. 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT) connects people and organizations through seamless communication on the industry's most integrated platform for Customer Experience – combining Contact Center, Unified Communication, and Communication APIs. The 8x8® Platform for CX integrates AI at every level to enable personalized customer journeys, drive operational excellence and insights, and facilitate team collaboration. 8x8 helps customer experience and IT leaders become the heartbeat of their organizations, empowering them to unlock the potential of every interaction. For additional information, visit or follow 8x8 on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. Copyright 8x8, Inc. 8x8® is a trademark of 8x8, Inc. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
8x8 Strengthens Irish Market Presence with Expanded CCMA Ireland Partnership
Industry commitment reflects growing demand for integrated communications solutions; 8x8 to share exclusive insights at May conference. CAMPBELL, Calif. & DUBLIN, Ireland, May 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT), the industry's most integrated Platform for CX provider that combines Contact Center, Unified Communication, and Communication APIs, marks a major milestone in its commitment to Ireland: becoming a Gold corporate sponsor of the Customer Contact Management Association (CCMA) Ireland for 2025. This strategic partnership underscores 8x8's commitment to investing in Ireland as a key innovation hub and reinforces its global mission to equip businesses with future-ready AI-powered CX solutions that drive success in today's experience-driven economy. Ireland has become a powerhouse for customer experience, and 8x8 is stepping in to help shape its future. Joining forces with CCMA's vibrant network of more than 2,000 CX leaders and over 500 contact centres, 8x8 unlocks year-round opportunities to share insights, elevate innovations and celebrate excellence at Ireland's most prestigious CX events and awards. With more than 60,000 professionals driving the country's dynamic contact centre landscape, Ireland plays a critical role in powering exceptional customer experiences for both local and global brands. For 8x8, this sponsorship further cements its role in shaping the future of customer engagement across a growing and future-ready, experience-first economy. "Ireland is at the vanguard of how modern customer engagement should be done," said Jamie Snaddon, Managing Director, EMEA at 8x8, Inc. "By partnering with CCMA as a Gold sponsor, we're aligning ourselves with some of the most forward-thinking leaders in the space. This collaboration allows us to bring smarter, more integrated CX and communications solutions to the companies that power Ireland's economy – helping them deliver faster, more personalized service, drive customer loyalty, and scale with confidence." As part of the agreement, 8x8 will talk at the upcoming high-profile 2025 CCMA Conference in May, where 8x8 will take the stage with a number of key Irish clients to discuss 'Enhancing CX in a Digital First World.' The agreement also includes gold sponsorship of the industry's biggest event of the year, the 2025 Irish Contact Centre & Shared Services Awards taking place in November. "8x8's track record of innovation and deep expertise in customer and employee communications is exactly what our industry needs right now," said Dorothy O'Byrne, Managing Director at CCMA. "Irish organisations are navigating rapid change – from rising customer expectations to hybrid work and digital-first engagement – and 8x8 brings the kind of integrated, forward-thinking solutions that help businesses not just keep up, but lead. Collaborating will deliver real value, fresh insights, and next-generation CX to our members." In addition to in-person events, the partnership offers 8x8 a digital platform to share its industry knowledge and leadership. This includes white papers, blog content, and newsletters distributed through CCMA Ireland to help Irish CX leaders navigate challenges such as the PSTN switch-off, AI adoption, workforce engagement, and customer loyalty. About CCMA Ireland The Customer Contact Management Association (CCMA) Ireland is the leading industry body for customer experience professionals and organisations, providing a collaborative network for over 2,000 members across Ireland. It promotes best practices, delivers high-value events and research, and champions innovation and excellence in the customer service sector. About 8x8 Inc. 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT) connects people and organizations through seamless communication on the industry's most integrated platform for Customer Experience – combining Contact Center, Unified Communication, and Communication APIs. The 8x8® Platform for CX integrates AI at every level to enable personalized customer journeys, drive operational excellence and insights, and facilitate team collaboration. 8x8 helps customer experience and IT leaders become the heartbeat of their organizations, empowering them to unlock the potential of every interaction. For additional information, visit or follow 8x8 on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. Copyright 8x8, Inc. 8x8® is a trademark of 8x8, Inc. All rights reserved. View source version on Contacts 8x8, Inc. Contacts: Media:PR@ Investor Relations: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Heed Pope Leo's warning on AI dangers — and don't let Big Tech police itself
Pope Leo XIV was entirely right in his warning Saturday: The rise of AI poses 'new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.' Challenges that all of us need to consider; we'd be crazy to leave it all up to our tech overlords. The new pope chose the name Leo in tribute to Leo XIII, who faced the moral challenges of the industrial revolution; the new tech revolution will be far more profound. Advertisement Disturbing things like deepfakes, from porn to political deceptions, are the least of it; even Mark Zuckerberg's vision of everyone having a dozen AI 'friends' only scratches the surface. The industrial revolution gave us machines that could perform physical tasks far beyond human ability; AI will do the same for mental work. Using AI to cheat is already rampant among college and high-school students, but the 'cheaters' may see more clearly than the outraged old guard: What skills should any of us be developing for the future? Maybe writing papers has become makework. Advertisement The World Economic Forum predicts that AI will result in the loss of 83 million jobs over the next five years alone, creating perhaps 69 million; over the next few decades the tech will make most of today's First World jobs obsolete. No human will be the smartest one in the room anymore; machines will do virtually every mental task better — even if some human input is vital to success. Fundamental questions are reopened: What is valuable in any person? What matters in each of us? Advertisement And we can't leave answering those questions, or deciding how we'll deploy the tech, to the geniuses whose 'guidance' left much of the social-media world revolving around clickbait, trolls, 'influencers' and moronic TikTok 'challenges.' We got widespread partisan censorship, addictive algorithms that poison the minds of kids and little-to-no accountability. President Donald Trump named David Sacks, former PayPal COO, as America's AI czar: That may be good enough for government work, but these issues go far beyond the government's reach. Advertisement The powers of Big Tech have only their own interests and competition in mind; we need to consider society, human development, individual rights and, as the pope put it, 'the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.' That demands input and discussion involving not just church leaders, theologians and philosophers but deep thinkers from a vast range of fields. Techies and politicians will inevitably play roles, but many different voices need to be in the room — and heard and heeded. The future of AI will significantly shape the future of humanity; Pope Leo is entirely right to insist that humane leaders are deeply involved in charting the course ahead.
