Pope Leo XIV urges deeper reflection on AI and human dignity
Speaking at the Vatican, the Pope argued that AI governance should not focus solely on technical safeguards or compliance measures.
Pope Leo XIV has called on policymakers and theologians to move beyond purely ethical frameworks in governing artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that fundamental questions about human nature and dignity must be central to the debate.
Speaking at the Vatican, the Pope argued that AI governance should not focus solely on technical safeguards or compliance measures. Instead, he urged society to confront deeper questions, such as ‘What is a human being? What is his or her inherent dignity, which is irreconcilable with a digital android?’
He described AI and environmental sustainability as ‘essential commitments to ensure the survival of the human race,’ emphasising their impact on peace and social coexistence. The Pope encouraged theologians to collaborate across disciplines such as physics, biology, economics, and law in order to respond to contemporary challenges.
The remarks reflect the Catholic Church’s position that discussions on AI should go beyond risk management and technical regulation. According to the Pope, a ‘theology of wisdom’ that combines faith, reason, and science is needed to guide societies in shaping technologies that respect human dignity.
