In a momentous message issued for the 2023 Roman Catholic Church’s World Day of Peace, Pope Francis has called for a globally binding treaty to regulate the burgeoning realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI), emphasizing the urgent need for international cooperation in its governance.
Speaking on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Peace,” Pope Francis highlighted the imperative for both sovereign states and international organizations to shoulder the responsibility of regulating AI, stressing the monumental impact of AI on a global scale.
The Pope explained that the far-reaching implications of artificial intelligence demand not only domestic regulation by individual states but also concerted efforts by international organizations to forge agreements and ensure their implementation.
He urged nations worldwide to collaborate in crafting a binding international treaty tailored to oversee the development and utilization of various forms of artificial intelligence. His plea resonated with a call for unified global action to navigate the ethical and operational dimensions of AI.
Known for his staunch criticism of the arms industry, the pontiff sounded a cautionary note regarding the application of AI in weaponry, and warned against the research and deployment of what he termed “Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems.”
Pope Francis also cited grave ethical concerns, asserting that LAWS could never bear moral responsibility as it was not human.