Pope Leo XIV has warned that rapid advances in artificial intelligence could weaken human values if technological progress is not guided by ethics, responsibility and moral judgment.
The Pope issued the warning during his first papal visit to France, where he addressed concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence on modern society.
Pope Calls for Ethical Use of AI
Speaking at the French presidential palace, Leo XIV urged society to look beyond what technology can accomplish and consider what should be done from a moral perspective.
He stressed the importance of helping people develop the judgment needed to distinguish between technological possibility and ethical responsibility.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding into workplaces, schools, healthcare, communications and other areas of everyday life.
The technology has created opportunities to improve efficiency and solve complex problems. However, its development has also raised concerns about employment, privacy, misinformation and the increasing automation of decisions traditionally made by people.
Human Values Must Remain Central
For Pope Leo XIV, the debate surrounding artificial intelligence should not focus only on regulating machines or controlling new technologies.
He emphasized the need to preserve qualities that define human relationships, including compassion, responsibility, accountability and moral judgment.
As AI systems become capable of performing increasingly sophisticated tasks, the Pope warned against allowing technological convenience to replace human responsibility.
Technology Should Serve Humanity
The Pope’s message is that technological progress should remain connected to human dignity.
He called for stronger ethical education so that individuals and societies can make responsible choices as artificial intelligence continues to develop.
The warning comes amid a global debate over how governments, businesses and international organizations should manage AI while ensuring that technological advances benefit people without diminishing human agency.
