- The Pontiff urges global regulation of AI.
- The Catholic Church relies on centuries-old social teachings.
- The Vatican advocates for an international ethical agreement on AI.
Artificial Intelligence as a Major Challenge for Humanity
Pope Leo XIV has declared artificial intelligence the greatest threat to humanity and made this topic central to his pontificate. He has questioned the notion of moral neutrality in modern technologies and openly stated his intention to confront the influential industry that has long sought support from the Vatican.
This is reported by Business • Media
The Pontiff compared the challenges of the 21st century to the social upheavals of the Gilded Age in the 19th century, when Pope Leo XIII defended workers’ rights, and now, according to his successor, it is time to “stand up for human dignity in the age of algorithms.”
The Demand for Ethical Regulation and the Response of Tech Companies
In an address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of relying on the two-thousand-year tradition of Catholic social thought. He called for a response to the “new industrial revolution,” in which artificial intelligence threatens fairness and jobs.
To establish a dialogue with church leaders, executives from the world’s largest technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and others, arrived in Rome. They are trying to convince the Holy See of the positive potential of AI and its ability to benefit society.
However, the Vatican insists on establishing a binding international agreement that should define clear ethical frameworks for the development of artificial intelligence. The Church believes that without proper oversight, humanity risks losing fundamental values in the pursuit of efficiency.
Some representatives of the artificial intelligence industry view the Vatican’s initiative as a hindrance to innovation. Nevertheless, Pope Leo XIV is convinced that now is the time for the Catholic Church to take an active role in shaping the global technological order.