Pope Leo XIV warned that a "paradise of machines" risked undermining humanity and posed questions on what it means to be human in the age of AI. On Friday, the Pope kicked off his trip to France by expressing his concerns regarding artificial intelligence, the nuclear arms race, and other threats to life itself.
Concerns raised in Paris
Leo raised existential concerns about scientific progress, life and human rights during his opening speech to President Emmanuel Macron and diplomats at the Elysee Palace. Calling on France's "deep Christian roots" and the recognition of human rights, he said: "If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a 'paradise of machines' invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for education in ethical discernment and the capacity to acknowledge the moral good."
Focusing on the wars in Europe and the Middle East, he reaffirmed the Vatican's opposition to nuclear weapons and said the nuclear deterrence doctrine was "mistaken" since it was just fueling a new arms race. "Peace is not a balance of power; rather, it is built day by day through dialogue and justice," he said.
Macron's response
French President Emmanuel Macron said Leo's visit brought "a source of hope" to many people in the country. "France stands on the side of peace, effective multilateralism, respect for international law and the United Nations Charter ... because every life has equal value, and all peoples must be defended," he said.
Schedule and AI appeal
Later on Friday, Leo was to visit UNESCO headquarters, celebrate vespers at the newly reopened Notre-Dame cathedral, and then preside over a massive youth vigil at the Paris stadium.
The pope also appealed to AI developers and political leaders responsible for regulating them to slow down, an appeal that several top AI companies seem to have taken to heart recently. "And I think from their perspective, many of them, they're very much open to looking for ways of making sure that AI does not displace or ultimately destroy humanity, but rather be a tool for human beings. Good things are beginning at least," he also said.
This is not the first time Pope Leo has issued a message to warn about the dangers of AI. After criticising the war in Iran back in May, the Pope also called for ownership of AI data not to be left solely in private hands. Expressing his concerns, he previously said some autonomous weapons systems have advanced "practically beyond any human reach to govern them".
