**Pope Leo XIV Urges Tech Leaders to Build AI Models That Respect Human Dignity**
Pope Leo XIV has called on technology leaders worldwide to develop artificial intelligence (AI) models that uphold human dignity. Stepping into the global debate on AI, the Pope highlighted this emerging technology as a critical test of humanity’s moral direction.
This message, shared on X, is the Pope’s first public statement on AI since assuming the position of head of the Catholic Church in May. He emphasized that AI development forms part of a larger struggle over our identity as a species—particularly when building systems that learn, decide, and operate on a global scale.
“Technological innovation can be a form of participation in the divine act of creation. It carries an ethical and spiritual weight, for every design choice expresses a vision of humanity,” the Pope stated.
### Advocating for Responsible AI Deployment
In his message, Pope Leo XIV urged AI developers to integrate moral discernment as a fundamental part of their work.
“The Church therefore calls all builders of AI to cultivate moral discernment as a fundamental part of their work—to develop systems that reflect justice, solidarity, and a genuine reverence for life,” he added.
Since becoming the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has made several statements addressing the AI community and its innovators. When elected, he chose his papal name in reference to Pope Leo XIII, who famously addressed the social consequences of the Industrial Revolution in May 1981.
During his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV pledged that the Church would act as a guide in facing “developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice, and labour.”
### Building on Vatican Teachings on AI
The Pope’s comments resonate with the Vatican’s earlier teachings on AI. In January, the Vatican released *Antiqua et Nova*, a document underscoring that while AI can produce sophisticated outcomes, it lacks genuine thought, lived experience, and moral judgment.
The document warned that without strong human oversight, AI could exacerbate inequality, increase misinformation, expand surveillance capabilities, and weaken vital human relationships.
In July, the Vatican furthered this position, releasing a message on behalf of the Pope urging world leaders to adopt ethically grounded and human-centered governance for AI. Addressing the AI for Good Summit 2025, the message called for AI systems that protect human dignity, foster global cooperation, and serve the greater good of humanity.
### Continuing the Legacy of Pope Francis
Pope Leo XIV’s stance aligns with the Vatican’s outlook since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022 under his predecessor, Pope Francis. At that time, Pope Francis noted that advancements in information and digital technologies had begun to profoundly transform global society and its dynamics.
Like Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV draws a parallel between the Industrial Revolution and the rapid rise of AI. He acknowledged that while AI will undoubtedly reshape the world, those managing these systems must safeguard the essence of what it means to be human.
### Addressing Global Concerns and Regulatory Moves
The Pope’s remarks on AI mirror broader global concerns over its societal impact. In recent years, the ethical challenges surrounding AI have surfaced in various controversies, including:
– Deceptive academic experiments employing AI personas on Reddit
– Generative AI tools enabling cheating in education
– Censorship practices by image-generation platforms like Midjourney, which blocked political figures such as China’s Xi Jinping
In response, several countries are establishing safeguards and regulations to oversee AI technologies and their developers. For instance, India recently announced the creation of a governance group and expert panel tasked with developing AI policies and regulatory frameworks. Multiple agencies have been designated to help formulate strategies and implement these policies.
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