ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE | Pope Leo XIV said Monday that concerns about artificial intelligence becoming dangerous should be taken seriously, rejecting the characterization of such warnings as “fake news” as he called for greater cooperation among governments, technology companies and experts.
Speaking to reporters on his flight back to Rome after a four-day visit to France, Leo said he was not in “panic mode” over AI but argued that governments cannot simply assume that serious risks will not materialize. He urged the United States, China and other major technology powers to discuss the potential consequences of increasingly capable AI systems and develop safeguards.
The pope’s remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump described concerns about AI going rogue as a “hoax.” Trump has emphasized the importance of maintaining US leadership over China in artificial intelligence and has criticized efforts that he says could restrict technological development.
Leo said warnings from AI specialists should not be dismissed and pointed to continuing developments in the industry as evidence that the issue requires sustained attention. He also referred to Nvidia’s efforts to introduce safeguards for AI systems while noting the company’s previous opposition to government regulation, according to the Associated Press.
The pope’s position is consistent with a broader Vatican effort to address the social and ethical consequences of artificial intelligence. In May, Leo issued his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, specifically on safeguarding human beings in the age of AI. The document called for scientific research, accountability, oversight and careful evaluation of AI’s effects, while warning against allowing technological power to undermine human dignity and responsibility.
The Vatican also established an inter-dicasterial commission on artificial intelligence in May, bringing together representatives from several Vatican departments and pontifical academies to coordinate research, dialogue and policies concerning AI.
Leo’s concerns also reflect a growing debate within the technology industry. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned of potentially severe consequences from increasingly autonomous AI systems and has argued that safety measures need to keep pace with rapid technological development. The issue has also reached international forums, including discussions at the United Nations.
The pope has nevertheless stopped short of portraying AI solely as a threat. In Magnifica Humanitas, he acknowledged that AI can contribute to human development while arguing that its use must remain subject to human judgment, accountability and safeguards. He has also expressed optimism that governments, scientists, technology companies and civil society can work together to manage the risks.
The debate comes as AI systems become increasingly capable and are being adopted across business, government, communications and everyday life. For Leo, the central question is not whether technological progress should continue, but how societies can ensure that increasingly powerful systems remain under meaningful human responsibility.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
