Vatican Issues Warning Over Artificial Intelligence Technology
The Vatican issued a message warning about artificial intelligence technology and called for global oversight of its development.
On Tuesday, January 28, the Vatican warned about the development of artificial intelligence, stating that this technology carries “a shadow of evil” due to its increasing capacity for spreading false information, and called on all governments to exercise global oversight over the process of artificial intelligence development.
Pope Francis has focused in recent years on ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence. In June 2024, at the Group of Seven summit held in Italy, he said about artificial intelligence technology: “People should not allow algorithms to make decisions about their destiny.”
He also sent a message last week to the World Economic Forum in “Davos” about artificial intelligence, warning political, economic and business leaders about the development of this technology and expressing concern about its effects on the future of humanity and the endangerment of their lives.
For this purpose, a document was prepared by two Vatican departments regarding “Ethics in Artificial Intelligence” and approved by Pope Francis. The document states: “False media content generated by artificial intelligence can gradually weaken the foundations of society. This requires the enactment of strict regulations, because the dissemination of false information and disinformation, particularly through media under the control or influence of artificial intelligence, can be inadvertently spread and fuel political polarization and social unrest.”
This document, published under the name Antica et nova meaning “Ancient and New,” examined the impacts of artificial intelligence technology across a wide range of sectors, including the labor market, healthcare and education. The Vatican emphasized in this document: “Like any field where humans are responsible for decision-making, the shadow of evil exists in artificial intelligence as well. Consequently, in the ethical assessment of this technology, the manner of its direction and use must be considered.”
