The Pope has expressed concerns about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), warning of its potential to escalate global conflicts indefinitely. This stance could escalate tensions with Donald Trump.
Pope Leo XIV has called for stringent government oversight of AI development in a comprehensive manifesto released recently, contrasting with the US administration’s push for deregulation in the tech sector.
Leo highlighted the risks associated with technological progress, emphasizing the dangers of spreading misinformation and escalating conflicts. He emphasized the need to refrain from delegating irreversible lethal decisions to AI systems.
In his address titled “Magnificent Humanity” to the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion followers, Leo stressed the necessity for proactive political intervention to counteract the rapid pace of technological advancements.
The Pope’s impassioned plea coincides with his strained relationship with US President Donald Trump, sparked by Leo’s critical views on US and Israeli military actions in Iran.
Leo publicly denounced Trump’s threats to obliterate Iranian civilization, citing violations of international law and urging global citizens to pressure their leaders to end the Middle East conflict.
Following Leo’s statements, Trump faced backlash for sharing an AI-generated image portraying himself as a messianic figure, healing a sick individual in a hospital setting, which he later deleted.
Trump’s subsequent online attack against the Pope, labeling him as weak on crime and foreign policy, further exacerbated the rift between the two leaders.
While Leo’s focus was on AI development, his manifesto also condemned widespread brutal conflicts, the erosion of democracy, and the role of arms industry profits in perpetuating warfare.
Leo criticized the traditional ‘just war’ theory, asserting that the use of force and violence only leads to catastrophic consequences for civilian populations, challenging the doctrine’s relevance in modern conflicts.
The Pope urged policymakers to safeguard workers’ rights, denouncing the exploitation faced by laborers in producing technological devices essential for AI, such as computers and smartphones.
Acknowledging the Church’s historical failure to condemn transatlantic slavery promptly, Leo offered a personal apology, recognizing it as a blemish in Christian memory that necessitates reconciliation.