Pope Leo XIV Warns AI Risks Undermining Human Dignity

Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected Pontiff and the first American to occupy the position, has identified artificial intelligence as one of the most pressing challenges faced by humanity. In his inaugural speech to the Cardinals College in the Vatican, he stressed the ethical and social dilemmas raised by AI, resorting to parallels to the disorders of the industrial revolution.

Previously Cardinal Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV chose the papal name in tribute to Pope Leo XIII, recognized for the duration of the rights of the workers of the Law of the Industrial Era. This choice indicates a commitment to address contemporary social problems, in part those that arise from technological advances. He stressed that the Church must lead to safeguard human dignity and labor rights amid the rapid development of AI technologies.

The Vatican has been proactive when examining the implications of AI. A doctrinal note entitled *Antiqua et Nova *, launched earlier this year, deepens the relationship between artificial and human intelligence. The document warns against the potential result of the dehumanization of AI, highlighting Conerns as the erosion of critical thinking, greater surveillance and ethical ramifications of autonomous weapons systems. Emphasizes that AI must complement, not replace, human intelligence, warning against the creation of a “substitute for God.”

The direction of Pope Leo XIV aligns with his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had also expressed his apprehensions on the impact of AI on society. Pope Francis had requested international regulations to ensure that Human Rights maintain technologies and promote peace. Hey, privately, highlighted the dangers of AI in the arms sector, legalizing significant human supervision to prevent autonomous systems from making life and death decisions.

In his first public mass, Pope Leo XIV lamented the growing prioritization of technology, wealth and success of society over spiritual values. He warned that such trends could lead to a superficial understanding of faith and a loss of purpose. They urged the church to serve as a lighthouse of hope and unity in a world dealing with technological and moral complexities.

The Pope’s Conerns are not isolated. The Vatican has been participating in dialogues with global leaders and institutions to address the ethical use of AI. In a message to the World Economic Forum, Pope Francis emphasized that AI should serve human potential and not compete against him. He requested collaboration efforts to ensure that the technologies of AI develop and disappoint in a responsible manner, with an approach to inclusion, transparency and the common good.