Pope Leo XIV Warns AI Could Threaten Jobs, Fairness, and Dignity

Known as Pope Leo XIV, he began his time as pontiff by focusing on a modern concern, artificial intelligence (AI).

Speaking to the College of Cardinals during his first address on May 10, he said the Church must help guide how AI develops. He noted that new technologies raise difficult questions about fairness, jobs, and the value of human life.

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Pope Leo pointed out that these challenges are not entirely new. He linked today’s concerns to those faced during the early days of industrialization.

His chosen name, Leo XIV, is a nod to Pope Leo XIII, who served in the late 1800s. That pope responded to social issues of his time by defending workers’ rights and calling for fair labor practices.

AI has already been on the Vatican’s radar. In 2023, Pope Francis called AI "the highest-stakes gamble of our future" and encouraged it to be used in ways that help, not harm, people. The Vatican also helped launch the "Rome Call for AI Ethics", which was signed by major tech companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco.

Pope Leo shows that the Church wants to be involved in shaping how technology is used. He also raised concerns about the environment and the risk of people losing jobs due to automation. He said these are areas where the Church should speak up.

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