Faced with the “exceptional product of human genius” which is artificial intelligence, Pope Leo XIV warns that he raises pressing questions, must never forget human dignity and cannot interfere with the appropriate human and neurological development of young people and children.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“AI, in particular generating AI, has opened new horizons at many different levels, including improving research in health care and scientific discoveries, but also raises disturbing questions about its possible repercussions on the opening of humanity to truth and beauty, on our distinctive capacity to grasp and treat reality.”
Pope Leo XIV made this observation in his message to the second annual Rome conference on artificial intelligence that was published on Friday. He noted that their presence “attests to the urgent need for serious reflection and current discussion on the intrinsically ethical dimension of AI, as well as its responsible governance” and expressed that it was happy that the second day of the conference takes place in the Apostolic Palace, “a clear indication of the Church’s desire to participate in these discussions which directly affect the present and the future of our human family”.
“With its extraordinary potential for the benefit of the human family, the rapid development of AI, warned the Pope,” also raises deeper questions “concerning the appropriate use of such technology to generate a more authentic and human society.
Exceptional product of human engineering, but remains a tool
While AI is “undoubtedly an exceptional product of human genius”, he underlined, as Pope Francis has done in the past, this AI, “above all”, a tool “.
Recognizing and respecting what is particularly characteristic of the human person is essential for the discussion of any adequate ethical framework for AI governance.
“We all, I am sure, we are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of using AI on their intellectual and neurological development.”
“Our youth”, he insisted, “must be helped and not hindered, in their journey to maturity and real responsibility”, stressing that they “are our hope for the future”.
“The well-being of society”, he also underlined, “depends on their conception of developing their gifts and capacities given by God, and meeting the requirements of the time and the needs of others with a free and generous spirit.”
No matter how much you should not confuse with intelligence
No generation, recognized the Holy Father, has never had such rapid access to the amount of information now available via AI. “But again, access to data – as extensive, should not be confused with intelligence, which” necessarily implies the opening of the person to the ultimate questions of life and reflects an orientation towards true and good “.
While AI has been used in a positive and even noble way to promote greater equality, Pope Leo has always warned of “the possibility of its abusive use for selfish gain at the expense of others, or worse, to foment conflicts and aggression”.
Weighing the ramifications of AI
For its part, he said, the Church wishes to contribute to a serene and enlightened discussion of these urgent questions by emphasizing above all the need to weigh the ramifications of AI in the light of “integral development of the human and society”.
“This implies”, underlined the Pope, “taking into account the well-being of the human person not only materially, but also intellectually and spiritually. This means protecting the inviolable dignity of each human person and respecting cultural and spiritual riches and the diversity of peoples of the world.”
“In the end, the advantages or risks of AI must be evaluated precisely according to this higher ethical criterion,” he said, warning the societies today which experience today a certain “loss” or “at least an eclipse” of what is human, and to say that “challenges us all to reflect more deeply on the true nature and the uniqueness of our shared human dignity”.
Young people must be helped, not hampered by AI
In the end, the Pope stressed that “authentic wisdom has more to do with the recognition of the true sense of life, than with the availability of data”.
In this day, the Holy Father expressed his hope that the deliberations of the conference “will also examine the AI in the context of the necessary intergenerational learning which will allow young people to integrate the truth into their moral and spiritual life, thus informing their mature decisions and opening the way to a world of greatest solidarity and unity”.
Finally, Pope Leo concluded: “The set of tasks in front of you is not easy, but it is vital importance.”
