Pope Francis Calls Out Against AI Dependence During G7 Speech

Pope Francis, during his G7 speech, has called out against the countries' growing dependence on AI technology amid increasing ethical concerns about its recent applications, Reuters reported.

Calling the AI boom a representation of "epochal transformation" for mankind, Pope Francis highlighted that countries should not let AI take away "people's ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives."

This includes using AI and AI-powered tools to take away human lives.

Pope Francis also called the technology's potential to enflame "more injustice between advanced countries and developing countries" or with dominant and oppressed social classes.

Pope Francis Addresses World Leaders on AI Concerns

The speech was delivered in front of multiple G7 world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who have ramped up the development of AI towards military applications.

The US, in particular, has been shoring up the integration of advanced AI technology across military agencies amid growing tensions with China and Russia.

Government watchdogs have long raised concerns about the US's recent attitude towards autonomous weapons, especially its potential to "dehumanize the people targeted and make it easier to tolerate widespread killing."

The pope's recent message follows similar calls he made during the World Day of Peace and earlier warnings on AI's potential to further "fuel conflicts and antagonism."

Pope Francis: Churches Should Intervene on AI Talks

The increase in the chief pontiff's calls for AI came amidst Pope Francis's suggestions for Vatican City and the Catholic Church to intervene in AI negotiations.

Ahead of his G7 Summit appearance, the 87-year-old pope has been engaging with notable AI firms and countries for more ethical development and use of AI technical.

So far, Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco Systems have pledged to Vatican City's petition for safe AI operations while standardized regulations remain are still years away.