The Vatican Releases Ethical Guidelines for AI
A document released Tuesday by the Vatican outlines ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence, warning that the technology could “undermine the foundations of society.”
Pope Francis emphasized the risks associated with AI, which come at a time when a new Chinese AI model, DeepSeek, has changed the landscape of the tech industry.
Highlighting human responsibilities, the Pope urged caution regarding the impact of AI technological advancements across various sectors.
While acknowledging AI’s potential as “an aid to human dignity,” the Vatican also pointed out its inherent dangers. The document stated, “On a broader scale, by distorting ‘our relationship with others and with reality,’ AI-generated fake media can gradually undermine the foundations of society.”
The Vatican expressed serious concerns about manipulated content, as deepfake technologies pose growing threats in numerous sectors, particularly politics.
The ability of AI to create convincing images, audio, and videos is evolving swiftly, leaving lawmakers struggling to keep pace. The Vatican warned that the risks associated with such content could be “quite grave.”
Pope Francis has called for “careful regulation” to curb misinformation, political polarization, and social unrest. “As deepfakes cause people to question everything and AI-generated false content erodes trust, polarization and conflict will only grow,” the Vatican stated.
“Such widespread deception is no trivial matter; it strikes at the core of humanity, dismantling the foundational trust on which societies are built.”
The Pope previously advocated for an international treaty to ensure AI development aligns with human values like compassion and morality, emphasizing the dire risks of technology devoid of ethical considerations.
Earlier this year, an AI-generated image of him in a designer jacket went viral, showcasing how rapidly realistic deepfake technology can spread online.
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