Pope on AI:

Welcome its benefits to humanity, but mitigate its risks

Pope Francis reaffirms that artificial intelligence must only be used to benefit humanity, as he thanks participants in the international convention on 'Generative Artificial Intelligence and Technocratic Paradigm,' organized by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Vatican Foundation. 

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Slightly more than a week after Pope Francis addressed the G7 Session in Bari, Italy, on artificial intelligence, the Holy Father is reaffirming that the powerful technological advancement must be used ethically, to serve humanity, and that its inherent risks must be mitigated.

The Holy Father's latest words on AI came during his audience on Saturday morning in the Vatican with participants in the international convention on 'Generative Artificial Intelligence and Technocratic Paradigm,' organized by the Vatican's Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice.

Pope Francis meets with participants in International Convention organized by Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Vatican Foundation

Must remain tool in human hands

In his remarks, the Pope thanked those before him for their commitment to exploring how AI can help promote human dignity and be at the service of the disadvantaged.

"I appreciate," he expressed, "that the Centesimus Annus has given ample space to this subject, involving scholars and experts from different countries and disciplines, analysing the opportunities and risks related to the development and use of AI." 

The Pope likewise warned against the tool acting autonomously, stressing AI "is, and must remain a tool" in human hands.

Moreover, the Holy Father warned against artificial intelligence perpetrating a 'throwaway culture,' favouring inequality, and making decisions outside of its purview.

AI's purpose must promote human dignity

As he encouraged them to continue examining the true purpose of AI, he asked: "Does it serve to satisfy the needs of humanity, to improve the well-being and integral development of people?" Or does it, rather, "serve to enrich and increase the already high power of the few technological giants despite the dangers to humanity?"

This, he said, is the basic question.

Since the future of humanity will be played out on the front of technological innovation, he stated, "We must not miss the opportunity to think and act in a new way, with mind, heart and hands," in order to "direct innovation toward a configuration centred on the primacy of human dignity."

This, he underscored, is not up for discussion.

Encouragement and a provocation

As the Pope encouraged Centesimus Annus to "boldly continue" its commitment in this regard, he specifically applauded its having launched a second joint research project between the Foundation and the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU), insisting: "Please keep me informed about this!"

Pope Francis concluded by offering what he described as "a provocation." 

"Are we sure we want to continue to call 'intelligence' what intelligence is not?" he said. Insisting that we must think about this, he urged them to ask themselves "whether the misuse of this word, that is so important, and so human, is not already a surrender to technocratic power."