Pope Leo warns politicians of the challenges posed by AI
VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo warned politicians on Saturday of the challenges posed by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), addressing its potential impact on younger people as a prime concern.
Speaking at an event attended by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and parliamentary delegations from 68 countries, Leo revisited a topic that he has raised on a number of occasions during the first few weeks of his papacy.
"In particular, it must not be forgotten that artificial intelligence functions as a tool for the good of human beings, not to diminish them or even to replace them," Leo said at an event held as part of the Roman Catholic Jubilee or Holy Year.
AI proponents say it will speed up scientific and technological progress and help people to carry out routine tasks, granting them more time to pursue higher-value and creative work.
The U.S.-born pontiff said attention was needed to protect "healthy, fair and sound lifestyles, especially for the good of younger generations."
He noted that AI's "static memory" was in no way comparable to the "creative, dynamic" power of human memory.
"Our personal life has greater value than any algorithm, and social relationships require spaces for development that far transcend the limited patterns that any soulless machine can pre-package," he said.
Leo, who became pope in May, has spoken previously of the threat posed by AI to jobs and has called on journalists to use it responsibly. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
13 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Belarus' Lukashenko meets US envoy Kellogg in Minsk
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (second from right) meeting US envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg (second from left) in Minsk, on June 21. PHOTO: EPA-EFE MINSK - Mr Alexander Lukashenko met US special presidential envoy General Keith Kellogg in Minsk on June 21, according to a video published on the Belarusian president's website. 'You've stirred up quite a lot of noise around the world with your visit. But I'm surprised by that – can't we have a normal dialogue and talk about our affairs, about the relations between Belarus and the United States of America?' Mr Lukashenko said in opening remarks. General Kellogg is the highest-ranking US official to visit Belarus in several years. In February 2020, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo travelled to Belarus in what was the first visit by a top-ranked US diplomat since 1993. 'With all the gold here, it looks a lot like Mar-a-Lago,' Gen Kellogg said, comparing Mr Lukashenko's Independence Palace with US President Donald Trump's private club in Florida. The meeting agenda included international issues and the overall situation in the world, as well as Belarusian-American relations, the state-owned agency Belta reported. Mr Lukashenko, 70, has been under various sanctions for nearly a decade due to his role in undermining democratic processes in the former Soviet republic. He was re-designated by the US under expanded penalties in 2022, in response to Belarus' support for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Lukashenko remains Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest ally. The Belarusian strongman has remained in power for more than three decades, with nearly 1,200 people in the country currently recognised as political prisoners, according to the exiled human rights centre Viasna. Gen Kellogg's visit raised expectations that Belarus may soon release a number of captives. The White House has not commented on the meeting. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
25 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Israel's plans for regime change in Iran could lead to even more chaos in the Middle East
A woman carries a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during an anti-Israeli rally in Tehran on June 20. PHOTO: AFP – Israel has many military plans for Iran, ranging from the destruction of the country's nuclear programme to the elimination of Tehran's missile capabilities. Yet since he unleashed a war against Iran on June 13, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been clear about his key political objective: nothing less than the wholesale removal of Iran's clerical government. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
26 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Germany to hire 11,000 more military personnel this year, Bild reports
FRANKFURT, Germany - The German government will provide funds for an extra 11,000 military personnel by the end of the year, an increase of around 4 per cent, tabloid Bild reported on June 21, citing government sources. The money will be provided for 10,000 soldiers and 1,000 civilian employees for the military by end-2025, the newspaper said, adding the move was part of this year's budget planning to be approved by the Cabinet next week. The new jobs will cover armed, air, naval and cyber forces, the report said. Germany's Defence Ministry declined to comment. Germany needs up to 60,000 additional troops under new Nato targets for weapons and personnel, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said earlier this month, as the alliance beefs up its forces to respond to what it sees as an increased threat from Russia. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
