Catholic bishops call for human-centered AI regulation

Catholic bishops in the European Union, through the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), have issued a declaration calling for Artificial Intelligence to remain at the service of the human person, peace, and the common good. The statement, titled “Europe’s responsibility in the time of Artificial Intelligence: A call to safeguard the Human Person,” emphasizes that technological progress must be guided by human dignity, justice, and fraternity.

The bishops urge the European Union and its member states to assume international leadership in AI governance. They advocate for a framework that prevents harmful uses of technology, ensures equitable access to its benefits, and protects against discrimination, exclusion, or manipulation. The declaration stresses that humans should not be reduced to mere commercial data sets and that technology must not diminish human agency or the rule of law.

In the United States, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has also taken action by appointing a working group dedicated to preserving human dignity in the age of AI. Led by Bishop Oscar Cantù, the group includes several bishops and academic advisors. This initiative follows the guidance of Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas,” which calls for a culture of shared responsibility regarding technological advancement.