Pope Leo XIV warns against delegating human decisions to AI

During a general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV addressed the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and digital technology. Reflecting on the Second Vatican Council’s pastoral constitution, Gaudium et Spes, the Pontiff warned against the risk of humans becoming accustomed to delegating decisions to algorithms that should remain the sole province of human conscience.

The Pope noted that while technological advancements and social media can bridge distances and create new possibilities, they also threaten to make human relationships less personal and more virtual. He emphasized that the Christian community aims to foster social connections with real substance and personal depth.

In addition to his reflections on AI, the Pope reiterated strong condemnations of actions that violate human dignity, including homicide, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, and suicide. He stressed that the development of the individual and the progress of society are interdependent and must both respect the inherent dignity of the human person.