Pope Francis on Friday, in his first papal address to the G7 meeting, warned about the ethical pitfalls of artificial intelligence.
Speaking at a world summit in Fasano, Italy, the Pope said AI offers immense benefits to humanity but also threatens to dehumanise society.
“Yet the issue of artificial intelligence is often perceived as ambiguous: on the one hand, we are excited by the possibilities it offers, and on the other, we are frightened by the consequences it portends,” Pope Francis said in his speech.
Pope Francis warns that AI misused by ‘technocratic systems’ ‘could pose a danger to our survival’
French President Emmanuel Macron (left), Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (right) and US President Joe Biden (below, with his back turned) take part in working sessions on artificial intelligence (AI), energy and Africa-Mediterranean as Pope Francis (centre) speaks at the Borgo Egnazia resort during the G7 summit in Savelletri, near Bari, Italy. (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)
“I think it’s fair to say we all feel two different emotions in this regard, to varying degrees: we’re excited by the advances that artificial intelligence can bring, but at the same time we’re frightened by the realization of the dangers that come with its use,” he added.
The Pope compared AI to primitive flint knives and atomic energy, acknowledging that every development in human technology has brought opportunities for both self-improvement and violence.
The Pope warned that irresponsible pursuit of AI technologies without ethical barriers could exacerbate today’s “throwaway culture” and dehumanize vulnerable societies whose poverty or technological illiteracy prevents them from resisting technocratic bureaucracies.
Pope warns against artificial intelligence, worries about “logic of violence”
At the G7 Summit, Pope Francis took part in working sessions on artificial intelligence (AI), energy and the Africa-Mediterranean region. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images)
“Humanity, because of its radical freedom, has often corrupted the purpose of its existence and made itself the enemy of itself and of the planet,” Pope Francis warned. “The same fate may befall our technological tools.”
Specifically, the Pope warned that AI will undermine the integrity and human dignity necessary for children’s education, the criminal justice system and war.
“We condemn humanity to a bleak future if we are forced to rely on machines to make choices and deprive humans of the ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives,” he told world leaders. “We must ensure and protect appropriate human control over the choices made in artificial intelligence programs – the very dignity of human beings depends on it.”
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Argentine President Javier Milley shakes hands with Pope Francis (left), Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (back), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (second from the right) and U.S. President Joe Biden (right). ((Photo by Ludovic Marin/AFP) (Photo by Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images))
“A lot needs to change through fundamental reforms and major renewal. Only a healthy politics involving the most diverse sectors and skills can oversee this process.”
Pope Francis has been openly skeptical of artificial intelligence since the technology gained widespread attention last year.
In December 2023, he speculated that a global “technocratic system” could exploit the efficiencies of AI without considering the disproportionate impact on the poor, sacrificing humanity for efficiency.
