Vatican City, Italy – The Pope has announced the formation of a specialized team to study the ethical implications of artificial intelligence developments. This move reflects the Catholic Church’s growing concern about the rapidly evolving impact of modern technology on societies and humanity.
The Vatican explained that the new commission will include experts in technology, philosophy, law, and ethics, as well as religious and academic figures. Its aim is to develop a balanced approach to AI applications and ensure that these technologies are used in a way that upholds human dignity and fundamental rights.
The Pope stressed that technological development must not become a tool that threatens human values or is used to deepen social and economic inequalities. He emphasized that technology must remain at the service of humanity, while humanity must not become subservient to it.
The Vatican statement indicated that the commission will discuss sensitive issues related to privacy and data manipulation. It will also address the use of artificial intelligence in warfare and its impact on jobs and the labor market. Furthermore, it will discuss concerns related to data control and automated decision-making.
This move comes as governments and major technology companies around the world race to develop artificial intelligence tools. This occurs amidst growing warnings about the lack of legal and ethical frameworks regulating this rapidly evolving field.
Observers believe that the Vatican’s entry into the global debate on artificial intelligence gives the issue a broader humanitarian and ethical dimension, especially given the escalating international controversy surrounding the future relationship between humans and machines. Concerns have also increased regarding the limits of using smart technologies in daily life.
