Pope Leo XIV Tackles AI Ethics, Echoing Past Leaders

The Catholic Church, often perceived as deliberate in its embrace of societal shifts, finds itself under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, the Chicago-born Robert Prevost, who is focusing on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. This focus represents a significant engagement with a rapidly evolving technological landscape, acknowledging its profound impact on humanity.

In his inaugural formal address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV highlighted AI development as one of the paramount challenges confronting humankind. Citing CNN’s report, he emphasized the Church’s commitment to offering its accumulated social teachings as guidance amidst this "industrial revolution" driven by artificial intelligence. He stressed that AI poses considerable threats to the preservation of human dignity, the pursuit of justice, and the equitable distribution of labor.

The choice of "Leo" as his papal name carries symbolic weight. Pope Leo XIV explicitly declared his intention to emulate Pope Leo XIII, who confronted the "social question" during the initial Industrial Revolution. This deliberate connection to a historical figure known for his progressive stance on worker’s rights signals a commitment to addressing the socio-economic disruptions caused by AI.

Pope Leo XIII, who led the Church from 1878 to 1903, is renowned for his 1891 encyclical, "Rerum Novarum" ("Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor"). This document, considered a cornerstone of Catholic social teaching, advocated for the alleviation of the "misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class." It championed the right to unionize and promoted policies aimed at ensuring fair treatment and just compensation for workers. Leo XIII’s vision was that economic progress should benefit all members of society, not just a privileged few.

Pope Leo XIV is following in the footsteps of his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, who had repeatedly voiced concerns regarding the potential dangers of AI if it is developed and implemented without a strong ethical compass and a focus on human well-being. Pope Francis underscored the necessity for a human-centered approach, ensuring that AI serves humanity rather than dominating it.

Francis’s "Antiqua et Nova," a "Note on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence," articulated the imperative that AI advancements must enhance, and not diminish, human dignity. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding human values and ensuring that AI technologies are used to promote the common good.

Further demonstrating his commitment to the ethical governance of AI, Pope Francis addressed the 2024 G7 Summit, characterizing AI as the catalyst for a "cognitive-industrial revolution." He cautioned against the potential for AI to exacerbate existing inequalities, creating "greater injustice between advanced and developing nations or between dominant and oppressed social classes."

Prior to his death, Pope Francis delivered remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, warning that "human dignity and fraternity are frequently subordinated in the pursuit of efficiency" in the relentless pursuit of technological progress. He urged those responsible for AI development to prioritize the promotion of "human dignity, the vocation of the human person, and the common good." This underscores the moral responsibility that comes with creating and deploying powerful technologies.

The Catholic Church’s engagement with AI is not an isolated event but part of a long tradition of grappling with the moral and social implications of technological advancements. Just as Pope Leo XIII addressed the challenges of industrialization, Pope Leo XIV is now confronting the complexities of the digital age.

The specific policies and actions that Pope Leo XIV will pursue remain to be seen. However, his initial statements suggest a focus on:

• Ethical frameworks for AI development: Advocating for guidelines and regulations that prioritize human dignity, fairness, and transparency in the design and deployment of AI systems.
• Protecting workers in the age of automation: Addressing the potential job displacement and economic inequality caused by AI-driven automation, and promoting policies that support worker retraining and job creation.
• Promoting equitable access to AI benefits: Ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared broadly, rather than concentrated in the hands of a few powerful corporations or nations.
• Combating bias and discrimination in AI systems: Addressing the potential for AI algorithms to perpetuate and amplify existing biases, and advocating for fairness and inclusivity in AI development.
• Safeguarding human autonomy and control: Ensuring that humans retain control over AI systems and that AI is not used to manipulate or control individuals or societies.

The challenges posed by AI are multifaceted and require a collaborative effort involving governments, businesses, researchers, and civil society organizations. The Catholic Church, with its global reach and moral authority, can play a crucial role in shaping the ethical debate surrounding AI and promoting a human-centered approach to its development and deployment.

Pope Leo XIV’s early pronouncements suggest a willingness to engage actively with these challenges, drawing upon the Church’s rich tradition of social teaching and working in collaboration with others to ensure that AI serves the common good and promotes human flourishing. This renewed focus marks a critical moment in the Church’s response to the modern world, acknowledging the transformative potential and inherent risks of artificial intelligence. The Church’s role will be to provide a moral compass, guiding society towards a future where AI is used for the betterment of all.