VATICAN CITY — On Tuesday, a document from the Vatican was released that outlines comprehensive ethical standards for the use of artificial intelligence across various fields, including military operations and health care. This guidance emphasizes that AI should serve as an instrument to enhance human intelligence, rather than substituting it.
Pope Francis has consistently voiced concerns regarding the hazards of AI technology, and this latest document builds on his previous messages. The timing of this release is particularly noteworthy as a newly developed AI chatbot from the Chinese startup DeepSeek has begun to bridge the gap with American AI advancements while significantly reducing costs.
The Vatican’s document asserts that the degree of human accountability must evolve alongside AI technology. It highlights the unpredictable consequences that may arise from the usage of AI across different sectors. In conclusion, the document stresses that “AI should be utilized merely as a tool to augment human intelligence and not to supplant its depth.”
With respect to warfare, the document raises alarms about the dangers posed by AI in military contexts, cautioning that it could enable weapon systems to act beyond human control, potentially leading to an arms race that lacks ethical oversight. Specifically, it pointed out that automated systems capable of selecting and engaging targets could erase the human ability to make moral evaluations. “No machine should ever decide to end a human life,” the document warns.
In terms of human connections, the Vatican’s statement insists that AI cannot replace genuine human relationships. The document underscores the absence of empathy in AI, warning against its use in fields such as child development or personal interactions. It articulates that while humans are designed to forge real connections, AI can only mimic them.
Furthermore, the document highlights a concerning trend where individuals may turn to AI for meaning in their lives as they feel increasingly disconnected from spiritual fulfillment. It cautions against the notion of prioritizing artificial constructs over divine connection, labeling this inclination as idolatry—a notion strongly discouraged in religious teachings.
The threats posed by AI in relation to privacy and surveillance are also addressed. As data processing capabilities improve, the document emphasizes the growing necessity for robust privacy measures to protect individuals’ dignity. It calls for vigilant regulation to oversee the potential for surveillance overreach, ensuring transparency and accountability to the public.
The environment is another focal point of concern in the document. While AI has the potential to combat climate change through predictive models and support for sustainable practices, it also poses environmental risks that are often underestimated. The text warns that the energy and water demands of AI technology significantly contribute to carbon emissions, highlighting a need for careful consideration of its environmental footprint.
In the context of education, the Vatican asserts that AI should be used to foster critical thinking rather than merely enabling quick information retrieval. The document reinforces the idea that education goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition; it’s about navigating the complexities between intellect, emotion, and practical application. Educational institutions are encouraged to engage students with the ethical dimensions of technology usage.
In health care, the document acknowledges the promise of AI in improving diagnostic accuracy but insists that it must reinforce rather than replace the essential relationships between patients and health care providers. It stipulates that the responsibility for patient care decisions must always remain with human practitioners, never fully entrusted to AI.
Lastly, regarding the risks of misinformation and deepfakes, the document cautions that AI can easily generate deceptive content that resembles reality and can mislead individuals. It emphasizes that combating AI-generated misinformation requires collective effort and vigilance from everyone, encouraging individuals to authenticate the accuracy of the information they share.
