The Vatican City State’s first decree regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) quietly came into effect this month, banning discriminatory uses of AI and establishing a special commission to oversee “experimentation” with the new technology in the Vatican.
The decree titled “Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence” was promulgated by the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and came into effect on January 1 following a low-profile publication in the website of the Vatican governorate the day before Christmas Eve.
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The new regulations establish strict prohibitions on the use of AI within the Vatican’s state institutions, but do not apply to the entire Roman Curia.
Among the prohibited practices are the use of AI systems that compromise the security of Vatican City, the implementation of AI systems that exclude people with disabilities from accessing their functions, and the use of AI to draw “anthropological inferences.” with discriminatory effects on individuals.”
The 13-page decree also prohibits AI applications that create social inequalities, violate human dignity, or use “subliminal manipulation techniques” that cause physical or psychological harm to people.
Furthermore, any use of AI that conflicts with the mission of the Pope, the integrity of the Catholic Church or the institutional activities of the Vatican is prohibited.
In an effort to oversee compliance, the decree establishes a five-member “Artificial Intelligence Commission,” made up of officials from Vatican City’s legal, IT and security departments.
This commission is tasked with overseeing AI activities, preparing implementing laws, and issuing semi-annual reports on AI in Vatican City and the areas governed by the Lateran Treaty.
The commission will also evaluate AI experimentation proposals to ensure their compliance with the ethical framework of the decree.
The Vatican guidelines are inspired by the European Union’s AI Regulation, which came into force in August and which emphasizes a risk-based approach to AI applications.
While safeguarding existing Vatican laws on data protection and copyright, the decree reinforces the principles of transparency, inclusion and ethical responsibility. It orders that artificial intelligence systems prioritize Vatican security, data protection, non-discrimination, economic sustainability and environmental care.
AI-generated content at the Vatican must be clearly labeled as “AI” (artificial intelligence), ensuring transparency and distinguishing human creativity from machine results. The Vatican also retains the copyright on these works.
The decree establishes that “the use of artificial intelligence must not limit the decision-making power of the subjects responsible for the organization, operation and coordination of the personnel of the Governorate of Vatican City State by the administration.”
In addition to outlining general principles, the decree establishes specific guidelines for sectors such as health care, cultural heritage, judicial activity and administrative procedures.
In the Vatican courts, artificial intelligence systems can only be used for investigation, while the decree stipulates that the actual judicial activity of interpreting the law must be reserved for human judges.
Pope Francis’s advocacy for ethical governance of AI has been a driving force behind these new regulations. The decree reflects Francis’ ongoing call for regulations that align with AI ethics, as outlined in the “Rome Call for AI Ethics” from the Vatican, a document that calls for transparency, accountability and social justice in artificial intelligence.
Pope Francis had already asked for a international treaty to regulate AI and urged last year’s G7 summit to ban the use of autonomous weapons.
Despite the prohibitions, the guidelines affirm that “science and technology are the product of human creativity understood as a gift from God and have remedied countless evils that afflicted and limited human beings.”
Additional Vatican laws implementing AI regulations and guidelines are expected to be issued by the end of 2025.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Courtney Mares
Courtney Mares is the Vatican correspondent for Catholic News Agency (CNA), EWTN News’ English agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and received the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.