Pope Leo XIV has issued a stark warning against the rise of artificial intelligence in warfare, stating that it is driving the world towards a 'spiral of annihilation.' Speaking at Rome's La Sapienza University, the pontiff condemned the increasing investment in high-tech weaponry at the expense of education and healthcare.
The American pope, making his first visit to the campus since Pope Benedict XVI cancelled a speech there in 2008 due to protests, was warmly received by students, including young Palestinians who recently arrived from Gaza on a 'humanitarian corridor' to continue their studies in Italy.
In his address, Pope Leo criticised the dramatic rise in military spending, particularly in Europe, which he said enriches elites who disregard the common good. He called for stricter oversight of AI development to ensure it does not absolve humans of responsibility or worsen conflicts.
The pope highlighted ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran as examples of the 'inhuman evolution' of war and technology. He urged that education and research should instead prioritise peace and justice.
Pope Leo has identified AI as a critical issue, and is expected to expand on these themes in his first encyclical, due for release in the coming weeks.
