Vatican News / Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik – Vatican City
Can artificial intelligence “erase humanity”?
Justin McLellan of the National Catholic Reporter referred to the Pope’s statement on the urgent need for ethical discernment regarding the development of artificial intelligence. He noted that in the wake of numerous cyberattacks carried out by rogue AI systems, several tech industry leaders have warned that this technology could destroy the world.
In this context, Justin McLellan asked: “How concerned is the Holy Father that artificial intelligence may pose a catastrophic threat to humanity or even completely erase it, and what should individual countries—especially the United States and China—do to ensure their technologies are safe for humanity?”.
The Pope confessed that he does not think these opinions from tech industry leaders are fake news aimed at achieving some kind of benefit, whether financial or of another nature.
Leo XIV said he read that the head of NVIDIA claims to have found a way to introduce certain safeguards or limitations into AI systems so that they do not go beyond their specified parameters and do not cause the harm mentioned in this context. “Yet that is the same person who claims that no restrictions or government regulations, etc., should be introduced,” the Pope concluded.
“Closing one’s eyes” is a lack of responsibility
“I believe this is a problem that we need to sit down and talk about. We must continue to invite political leaders, AI leaders, social organizations, and associations to look together at what is already happening and what may happen in the future,” the Holy Father emphasized.
The Pope noted that “closing one’s eyes” is not a responsible approach.
AI Commission at the Vatican
He added that the Vatican has established its own AI commission, which has begun operating as a way to coordinate how the Holy See uses AI, as well as the risks and benefits associated with it.
Leo XIV: “I am relatively optimistic”
Since the publication of the encyclical “Magnifica humanitas,” many people from various fields and areas have contacted the Holy See. “So we are trying to continue promoting dialogue, study, and research to find ways to ensure that AI does not reach a point where it could destroy humanity or remove humanity from this conversation,” Leo XIV emphasized.
“I am relatively optimistic that this will happen. I believe there are enough people seriously interested in this and ready to look beyond the issues of power—who gets there first, what happens when AI achieves what they call Artificial General Intelligence, etc.
“However, we must keep working; we cannot sit back with our arms crossed and pretend nothing is happening,” the Pope concluded.
