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Pope Leo XIV has begun his war against AI threats, outlining the dangers the technology presents to children and young individuals.
Last week, the Chicago, USA-born Pope Leo XIV outlined his priorities in his new position for the first time to a hall full of cardinals, saying he would use the position to challenge the threat of AI on human workers, creators, and humanity.
“Today, the church offers its trove of social teaching to respond to another industrial revolution and to innovations in the field of artificial intelligence that pose challenges to human dignity, justice and labour,” he said.
Now, the new Pope has warned that young people who use AI could impact their development.
“All of us, I am sure, are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development. Our youth must be helped, and not hindered, in their journey towards maturity and true responsibility,” he said in an address to The Second Annual Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Corporate Governance.
“No generation has ever had such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI. But again, access to data – however extensive – must not be confused with intelligence, which necessarily ‘involves the person’s openness to the ultimate questions of life and reflects an orientation toward the True and the Good’.”
While the Pope did recognise the potential for AI technology to do good for mankind, he said that there are ethical questions to be asked regarding its creation, use and regulation.
In this sense, while undoubtedly an exceptional product of human genius, AI is, “above all else, a tool”, he said, quoting his predecessor Pope Francis.
“By definition, tools point to the human intelligence that crafted them and draw much of their ethical force from the intentions of the individuals that wield them.
“In some cases, AI has been used in positive and indeed noble ways to promote greater equality, but there is likewise the possibility of its misuse for selfish gain at the expense of others, or worse, to foment conflict and aggression.”
The new Pope’s stance on developing technology and AI is a unique one, breaking the mould on Silicon Valley’s attempts to make it an ally.
In the past, Google, Microsoft, Cisco, and other tech giants have visited the Vatican to discuss the moral and philosophical implications of developing technologies, including AI, in an attempt to win the Vatican over as an authority on morality.
However, while debates remain civil, the Vatican is pushing for a binding international AI treaty, something tech CEOs may see as hampering progress, many of whom would prefer ethical guidelines to a legally binding treaty.
Pope Leo XIV’s stance on the technology, like former Pope Francis, who was much less tech-savvy, is strongly for legally binding regulation in an effort to protect human workers and their livelihoods, as well as eliminating threats to humanity.
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