Pope Francis urges oversight of AI at Davos summit

• Published On: 23 January 2025 at 19:19

Pope Francis has urged political, economic, and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos to closely monitor artificial intelligence, warning that the technology could exacerbate the growing "crisis of truth."

In a written message read on his behalf by Cardinal Peter Turkson, a Vatican official, the Pope recognised AI's potential but emphasised its ethical implications. "The results that AI can produce are almost indistinguishable from those of human beings, raising questions about its effect on the growing crisis of truth in the public forum," the pope told reporters.

The Pope urged governments and businesses to navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence with "due diligence and vigilance," emphasising the importance of putting humanity's future ahead of technological advancement.

His message is consistent with the WEF's focus this year, which includes discussions about the ethical and societal implications of AI.

In recent years, Francis, the leader of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church, has spoken out about AI's ethical challenges. At the Group of Seven summit in Italy last June, he warned against allowing algorithms to dictate human destiny.

The Pope's stance has also been influenced by personal experiences with AI-related issues. In early 2024, a viral deepfake image created by AI falsely depicted him in an ankle-length white puffer coat, emphasising the dangers of misinformation in the digital age.