Pope Francis calls for more control and ethical support for artificial intelligence. Technological progress can serve people and contribute to peace, writes the Pope in his message published Thursday for the upcoming Catholic World Day of Peace, January 1, 2024. However, there are also risks, such as targeted disinformation , the susceptibility of algorithms to bias and discrimination, and the use of artificial intelligence in warfare.
“We must be aware of the rapid changes that are now occurring and manage them in a way that safeguards fundamental human rights and respects institutions and laws that promote holistic human development,” writes Francisco. The rights of those who use artificial intelligence or are influenced by it must be protected. There must be clear legal responsibility, for example when using AI for manipulation and surveillance.
The Pope also calls for the creation of commissions to deal with emerging ethical issues. These must be taken into account when researching new technologies, as well as during development, production and marketing. This requires an interdisciplinary dialogue that must aim at “algoretics”, that is, an ethics of algorithms. There would also be challenges for education and international law.
Concern about new types of weapons systems
Regarding new types of autonomous weapons systems, the Pope explains: “The world really does not need new technologies to contribute to the unfair development of the arms market and trade and thus promote the madness of war. the heart itself is also at risk of becoming increasingly “artificial”.
The Catholic Church's World Day of Peace has been held on January 1st since 1968. In advance, the Pope publishes a message of peace with a thematic focus that changes each year.
The Pope's entire message in the official German translation
Kathpress
(jk), published January 1, 2024