Pope Leo XIV has expressed concern about the potential consequences of artificial intelligence on the intellectual development of young people, cautioning that it could damage their grip on reality. In a written message to participants at the second Rome Conference on AI, the pope emphasized the need for careful consideration of AI’s impact on humanity’s distinctive ability to grasp and process reality.
“All of us… are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development,” Pope Leo XIV warned. He noted that while AI provides unparalleled access to information, access to data must not be confused with intelligence. “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,” he stated.
The Catholic Church, under Pope Leo’s predecessor Francis, has been actively engaged in shaping ethical thinking surrounding AI. In 2020, the Vatican initiated the Rome Call for AI Ethics, a document signed by prominent organizations such as Microsoft, IBM, and the United Nations, emphasizing the importance of transparency and respect for privacy in AI development.
Pope Leo XIV echoed this sentiment, stressing that AI’s benefits in healthcare and scientific discovery must be weighed against its potential risks. While AI can enhance research, it raises troubling questions about its repercussions on humanity’s ability to process reality. The pope’s concerns are compounded by the growing use of AI-generated content, including deepfakes, which can masquerade as genuine comments from public figures like himself.
In recent weeks, Pope Leo has been targeted by deepfake videos and audio messages on social media, highlighting the potential for AI-generated content to mislead and deceive.
An investigation found dozens of YouTube and TikTok pages broadcasting AI-generated messages masquerading as genuine comments from the pope. This development underscores the need for critical evaluation of AI-generated content, particularly among young people who increasingly rely on chatbots for news and updates.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of human intelligence and values in the age of AI. “Authentic wisdom has more to do with recognizing the true meaning of life than with the availability of data,” he said.
The pope encouraged business leaders, policymakers, and researchers to prioritize the well-being of individuals and society, ensuring that AI serves humanity’s interests. By doing so, we can harness AI’s potential while safeguarding human dignity and the richness of cultural and spiritual diversity.