Pope Leo XIV called upon the international community to establish coordinated ethical frameworks governing artificial intelligence (AI), emphasising that technological advancement must uphold human dignity and foster peace.
In a message delivered by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at the UN’s AI for Good Summit in Geneva, the pontiff stressed that AI requires governance anchored in the recognition of human dignity and fundamental freedoms.
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to seek ethical clarity and to establish a coordinated local and global governance of AI, based on the shared recognition of the inherent dignity and fundamental freedoms of the human person.
Addressing representatives from governments, tech firms, academia, and civil society, the Pope warned humanity stands at a critical crossroads in this “era of profound innovation.” He underscored the imperative to evaluate AI’s ethical implications as systems grow increasingly autonomous.
As AI becomes capable of adapting autonomously to many situations by making purely technical algorithmic choices, it is crucial to consider its anthropological and ethical implications, the values at stake and the duties and regulatory frameworks required to uphold those values.
The pontiff asserted ethical responsibility extends beyond developers and regulators to users themselves. Citing St. Augustine’s concept of the “tranquility of order”, where true peace emerges when elements align harmoniously with their purpose, he declared AI should contribute to building “peaceful and just societies in the service of integral human development.”
While acknowledging AI’s potential to advance healthcare, education, governance, and communication, Pope Leo XIV cautioned that technology cannot replicate moral discernment or authentic human connection.
It cannot replicate moral discernment or the ability to form genuine relationships.
The AI for Good Summit, co-hosted by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union and the Swiss government, seeks to harness artificial intelligence in addressing global challenges. The Pope’s intervention reinforces growing demands for international standards preventing AI’s misuse while maximising its societal benefits.
