By Ghazali Ibrahim
Pope Leo XIV has called on lawmakers around the world to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence, warning that AI must remain a tool for humanity rather than become a force that undermines human dignity.
The Pope made the remarks on Friday while addressing members of the International Catholic Legislators Network at the Vatican.
He said the rapid development of AI had created major opportunities but also raised serious moral and social questions about how the technology should be used.
“The world does not need an artificial intelligence that diminishes humanity,” Leo said, stressing that AI should ultimately serve the common good.
He urged lawmakers to develop laws that encourage technological innovation while protecting fundamental rights, privacy and freedom.
According to him, governments must also ensure transparency in the use of emerging technologies and prevent AI from weakening democratic institutions.
The Pope called for independent oversight and legal safeguards to prevent any single ideology or economic interest from determining the values built into AI systems.
He also warned that the rapid growth of AI could deepen inequality between wealthy and poorer countries, leaving developing nations increasingly dependent on richer countries for advanced technology.
Leo described this as a potential form of “ideological or economic colonialism,” warning that technology should not become another instrument of domination.
He further expressed concern about algorithms determining who becomes visible online, digital platforms influencing public debate without accountability and workers being treated merely as components of automated systems.
The Pope said the Catholic Church advocates a “civilization of love” as an alternative to a culture driven by power, calling for AI to be developed with compassion, responsibility and respect for human beings.
He also urged lawmakers to protect families from the negative effects of technology, warning against reducing human relationships to data and simulations or exposing young people to content that could distort their development.
Leo encouraged Catholic legislators to support policies that strengthen families, assist parents in raising their children and help young people face the future with confidence.
The Pope’s comments came as Catholic lawmakers gathered in Rome for their annual meeting, which focused this year on human dignity and the challenges, opportunities and control of artificial intelligence.
