tl;dr
Chicago-born mathematician Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV, identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a major challenge for humanity in his inaugural address. He pledged the Catholic Church's role in guiding responses to AI developments that affect human dignity, justice, and labor, c...
Chicago-born mathematician Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV, has identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a critical challenge impacting human dignity, justice, and labor, continuing the Catholic Church’s social advocacy that began during the Industrial Revolution. In his inaugural address, he pledged that the Church would guide society's response to AI developments, aligning with longstanding themes from Pope Leo XIII’s teachings on social justice in the context of industrialization.
The Vatican is already leveraging AI technology to digitize and preserve its vast Apostolic Archives, enhancing research capabilities and safeguarding fragile historical manuscripts. This innovative use of AI helps scholars unlock centuries of Church history more efficiently while protecting delicate documents for posterity.
Catholic ethical concerns about AI emphasize protecting human dignity and promoting the common good. Church leaders advocate for ongoing dialogue with political and technological authorities to avoid exacerbating social inequalities and to maintain freedom and responsibility, particularly in pastoral and sacramental contexts. They caution that while AI can expand the Church's outreach, it should never replace the vital human presence essential to authentic community life.
Pope Leo XIV’s election was unexpected, defying prediction markets and attracting global attention, including congratulations from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who highlighted the historic significance of electing the first American pope.
Under Pope Francis, the Vatican actively engaged in AI ethics by promoting responsible development, condemning AI use in warfare, and fostering international collaboration through initiatives like the Rome Call for AI Ethics, endorsed by leading technology companies. Vatican documents warn that while AI possesses advanced capabilities, it lacks true thought and could threaten the economic value of human labor if unchecked.
Overall, the Church’s stance on AI balances cautious optimism about its benefits with a firm commitment to safeguarding human values, justice, and labor rights in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.