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On the occasion of World Communications Day, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concerns about the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized the danger of oligopolistic control exercised by a few dominant companies and the lack of transparency in the creation of the algorithms that govern many systems, including chatbots based on large language models. The Pope warned against the hidden persuasion of these technologies and the need to understand their influence on our perception of reality, calling for greater digital literacy and thoughtful governance to manage this ambivalent force. On World Communications Day, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). In his message, he highlighted the lack of transparency in the creation of algorithms and the concentration of power in the hands of a few companies. Furthermore, Leo XIV emphasized the urgent need to establish appropriate governance for this influential technology and to promote media, information, and AI literacy to foster a better understanding of its social impact. An “Invisible Power” and a Source of Risk Pope Leo XIV described artificial intelligence as an “invisible power” with enormous repercussions for society. Addressing the world on World Communications Day, the Holy Father highlighted the risks associated with this emerging technology. He noted that while AI offers numerous opportunities, it also poses significant challenges in terms of control and influence. The algorithms that shape AI systems often lack transparency, creating an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. Concentration of Power and Oligopoly Another point of concern raised by Leo XIV lies in the concentration of power. According to him, only « a few companies » control this enormous force. This oligopolistic control could lead to excessive domination over users and the way information is disseminated. The Pope insists that it is not digital innovation that needs to be slowed down, but rather that it is essential to develop mechanisms to govern these technologies responsibly. Lack of transparency and algorithmic bias The lack of transparency in the algorithms that guide the operation of AI is one of the aspects that most concerns Pope Leo XIV. In particular, chatbots based on large language models, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, are perceived as extremely powerful in their ability to subtly persuade and influence. Algorithms are shaped by the vision of developers, and often they reproduce stereotypes and biases present in the training data, which can reinforce existing biases in society. The Need for Digital LiteracyTo address these challenges, Leo XIV calls for widespread digital literacy. He emphasizes the importance of introducing media, information, and AI training into educational systems at all levels. The goal is to enable individuals to understand how algorithms shape our perception of reality. According to the Pope, it is through education and awareness that we can develop a society better adapted to the digital revolution.
The Race for AI in the Military Sector
Finally, Leo XIV expressed his concerns about the race to use AI in the military. He sees entrusting life-and-death decisions to machines as a « destructive spiral. » Delegating such critical responsibilities to machines raises vital ethical questions that, in the Pope’s view, require in-depth reflection and debate.
