Pope Leo XIV Pledges to Address Ethical Challenges of AI, Following in Predecessors' Footsteps

The New Pope Takes on Artificial Intelligence The Catholic Church has often been criticized for lagging behind modern technological advancements, but the newly selected Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, is looking forward, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). Addressing the senior clergy in his first formal meeting, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the development of AI represents one of the greatest challenges humanity faces today, according to CNN. "In our own day, the church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor," he stated. Pope Leo XIV's choice of the name Leo is a nod to his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and addressed the social issues brought about by the first industrial revolution. Leo XIII's landmark 1891 encyclical, "Rerum Novarum" or "Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor," called for relief for the working class and supported the unionization of labor to ensure fair treatment and conditions. Leo XIV continues the efforts of his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, who also recognized the ethical risks associated with AI. Francis published "Antiqua et Nova," a document outlining the relationship between artificial and human intelligence, insisting that AI must serve human dignity and not undermine it. He expressed these concerns at various international platforms, including the 2024 G7 Summit, where he described AI as the beginning of a "cognitive-industrial revolution." Francis warned that AI could exacerbate inequalities between advanced and developing nations and between dominant and oppressed social classes. Earlier this year, before his passing, Pope Francis spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos. There, he cautioned that in the rapid advancement of new technologies, human dignity and fraternity are often secondary to efficiency. He urged those involved in AI development to prioritize its role in promoting human dignity, supporting the vocation of the individual, and contributing to the common good. By taking up this mantle, Pope Leo XIV aims to guide the ethical development and application of AI while advocating for the vulnerable and upholding the core values of the Catholic Church. His approach underscores the ongoing commitment of the Church to engage with and influence global discussions on technology and its impact on society.