Pope Francis on AI Risks and Technocracy

In a historic and thought-provoking address at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, Pope Francis delivered a profound message to the world’s most developed economies: the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence(AI) is leading us towards a “technocratic paradigm” with significant ethical concerns. This paradigm has the potential to consolidate power among a small number of people and shape social connections in ways that harm human dignity and democracy.

The Vatican’s Stance on AI Ethics

Pope Francis, known for his progressive attitude on global concerns, has recently made artificial intelligence a primary focus of his pontificate. He highlighted that no innovation is neutral; technology intrinsically bears the founders’ worldviews, influencing social and power relations inside society. This argument asks for a critical evaluation of how Artificial intelligence is developed and utilized, encouraging leaders to consider the broader implications on human relationships and societal structures.

Rome Call for AI Ethics

Since 2020, the Vatican has actively promoted the “Rome Call for AI Ethics,” a manifesto that aims to ensure that Artificial intelligence technologies benefit humanity rather than endanger it. Major technology corporations like as Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco have sponsored this endeavor, and leaders from several world religions are scheduled to attend a meeting in Hiroshima. This collaborative endeavor highlights the significance of a consistent, ethical approach to Artificial intelligence development.

The Technocratic Paradigm

Pope Francis’s “technocratic paradigm” refers to a society structure controlled by technical experts who govern based on their specialized knowledge, often ignoring ethical and democratic concerns. Father Paolo Benanti, an ethics professor and the Pope’s Artificial intelligence consultant, demonstrated this worry by discussing the nature of current technology. He emphasized that in today’s software-defined reality, actual power comes in the control of software and data, which is frequently centralized in the cloud. This concentration of power raises concerns about monopolies and the “colonization” of less technologically sophisticated regions by dominating tech developers.

Ethical frameworks and AI

Father Benanti and Pope Francis advocate for an ethical framework that puts the common good over technological advancements. To ensure transparency and accountability, Artificial intelligence systems—also known as “black boxes”—must be demystified. Artificial intelligence solutions, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, should be built to explain their methods and results, allowing people to comprehend and trust the technology.

Prepare for the Future

Pope Francis’ speech also underlined the importance of a legislative, economic, and financial environment that opposes monopolistic power while ensuring equitable development gains. He emphasized the necessity of educating the next generation about AI, preparing people for job market changes, and evaluating Artificial intelligence’s influence on security and human relationships.

A Provocative Question

In conclusion, Pope Francis asked a daring question: “Are we sure we want to continue calling ‘intelligence’ that which is not intelligent?” This challenge encourages contemplation on how we define and perceive intelligence in the context of Artificial intelligence, calling for a reconsideration of the language we use and the ideals we defend.