Artificial Intelligence: Pope Francis asks leaders in Hiroshima to protect dignity

Pope Francis has addressed a message to the 16 representatives of most of the world’s religions gathered in Hiroshima (Japan) to participate in the event “AI Ethics for Peace”.

For the Holy Father, this event promoted by the Pontifical Academy for Life, focused on Artificial Intelligence and peace, is of “extraordinary importance.”

In his message, released this July 10 by the Press Office of the Holy See, he recalled part of the speech that addressed the members of the G7: “We must guarantee and protect a space of significant human control over the process of choosing artificial intelligence programs, human dignity itself depends on it.”

The Pontiff urged those gathered in Hiroshima to show the world “that united we ask for a proactive commitment to protect human dignity in this new season of machine use.”

“In the midst of the current conflicts that shake the world, more and more, unfortunately, in addition to the hatred of war, we hear about this technology,” the Pontiff said.

For this reason, he stressed the urgency of prohibiting the use of calls lethal autonomous weapons: “No machine should ever choose to end the life of a human being,” he asserted.

Likewise, he pointed out that “also in the governance of Artificial Intelligence, the cultural wealth of peoples and religions is a strategic key to the success of your commitment to the wise management of technological innovation.”

“While I hope that this meeting bears fruits of fraternity and collaboration, I pray that each of us becomes an instrument of peace for the world,” Pope Francis concluded.

Religious leaders will sign this July 10 Rome Call for AI Ethics after visiting various monuments in honor of the victims of the atomic bomb.