In his annual message on the occasion of World Peace Day, Pope Francis called on Thursday for an international treaty to ensure the ethical development and use of artificial intelligence, stressing that the risks of technology that lacks human values such as compassion, ethics, and forgiveness are very significant.
The Ethical Challenges of Artificial Intelligence
Pope Francis emphasized the importance of globally regulating artificial intelligence and achieving binding legislation in light of the rapid advancements in this field and the ethical challenges it raises. He noted that artificial intelligence can impact daily life and pose risks to democracy, art, and elections.
Human Oversight of Artificial Intelligence
Pope Francis stressed the need for adequate and ongoing human oversight of lethal autonomous weapon systems, emphasizing that the unique capacity for moral wisdom and ethical decision-making cannot be limited to merely teaching machines. He also warned about the impact of advanced automated systems on humanity, such as the categorization and profiling of citizens, and indicated that algorithms should not dictate how human rights are understood or ignore fundamental human values such as compassion, empathy, and forgiveness.
Social Challenges and Justice
Pope Francis expressed deep concern regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the weapons sector, affirming that new technology that promotes the folly of war should be avoided. He also warned about the impact of automated systems on humanity in other areas, such as job opportunities, personal rights, and privacy. He pointed out that algorithms should not determine how human rights are understood and cannot exclude fundamental human values and the possibility for an individual to change and leave their past behind.
The Necessity of Global Regulation of Artificial Intelligence
Pope Francis emphasized the necessity of an international treaty to regulate artificial intelligence globally to ensure its ethical and appropriate development and use. He noted that technology companies alone cannot be relied upon to self-regulate. He also highlighted the importance of freedom, peaceful coexistence, and addressing social and economic violations that threaten humanity.
In this way, Pope Francis reinforces the need for ethical and appropriate regulation of artificial intelligence, shedding light on the ethical and social challenges this field raises. He calls for international cooperation to ensure that technology is used in a manner that achieves peace, protects human rights, and maintains fundamental human values.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-ai-artificial-intelligence-9805fec11681adbf88d3a7c73bdf47de
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