Pope Leo XIV Advocates Ethical AI Framework to Respect Human Dignity/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Leo XIV urged Silicon Valley executives at the Vatican to prioritize “ethical criteria” in AI development that protect human dignity. He emphasized AI’s impact on children’s growth and warned against confusing access to data with true intelligence. The pope’s message builds on Vatican efforts like the 2020 Rome Call for AI Ethics.
Pope Leo XIV Ethical AI Quick Looks
- Called on tech firms to respect human dignity materially, intellectually, spiritually
- Highlighted children’s neurological development risks from unchecked AI use
- Event included leaders from Google, OpenAI, Meta, IBM and more
- Builds on Vatican’s 2020 Rome Call for AI Ethics efforts
Pope Leo XIV Advocates Ethical AI Framework to Respect Human Dignity
Deep Look
Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message on June 20, 2025, urging major tech companies developing artificial intelligence to adopt a robust “ethical criterion” anchored in respect for human dignity. AI should support the material, intellectual, and spiritual well‑being of individuals, he insisted—a stance rooted in Catholic social teaching and historical papal advocacy.
The pontiff distinguished between access to vast amounts of AI data and true intelligence, warning that “no generation has ever had such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI,” yet access doesn’t equate with thoughtful intelligence. He also highlighted the risks AI poses to children’s intellectual and neurological development, noting that societal wellbeing hinges on nurturing children’s God‑given gifts and capabilities.
Pope Leo’s remarks came during a gathering at the Vatican featuring tech executives and Vatican officials. Attendees included Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, IBM, Meta, Palantir, and academic voices from Harvard and Stanford. Although the Vatican holds no regulatory power, it wields moral influence—building upon previous initiatives such as the Rome Call for AI Ethics launched in 2020, which Microsoft, IBM, and others signed. Pope Francis in 2022 advocated for an international treaty to stave off a “technological dictatorship,” addressing AI‑generated disinformation, surveillance, and weaponization.
Following that legacy, Pope Leo—his papal name intentionally echoing labor‑focused Pope Leo XIII—reiterated that current AI advancement represents a new industrial revolution that demands application of the Church’s social teachings. He emphasized that people are not mere algorithmic systems but beings of relationships and mystery. His Vatican message arrives amid growing concerns over AI’s dual potential to enhance research and productivity while exacerbating job displacement, misinformation, climate threats, and even geopolitical tension. He warned that AI governance must balance profit motives with ethical obligations to avoid societal harm, especially as U.S. policy debates pivot on limiting state AI regulations.
Rounding out the Vatican gathering, archbishops Vincenzo Paglia and Edgar Peña Parra joined in advocating for responsible AI governance. Earlier this week, Pope Leo also addressed Italian bishops, urging them to see AI, biotech, social media, and data economies through the lens of human dignity—not automatic systems.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.