Pope Leo XIV has cautioned against the unchecked development and use of artificial intelligence, warning that technological advancement must not come at the expense of the family, human dignity and fundamental rights.
The Catholic Pontiff issued the warning while addressing the International Catholic Legislators Network at the Vatican, where he called for stronger legal and ethical frameworks to guide the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
He said legislation should encourage scientific and technological innovation while ensuring adequate protection for human rights, privacy, transparency and democratic institutions.
Pope Leo stressed the need for robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and responsible political leadership to address both the opportunities and risks associated with AI.
He also expressed concern that rapid technological advancement could create new forms of dependence, particularly in poorer countries that rely heavily on technologies developed and controlled by wealthier nations.
According to him, such dependence could transform technological innovation into another form of ideological or economic colonialism.
The Pope further warned about the growing influence of algorithms and digital platforms, saying they could determine who becomes visible in society, shape public discourse without sufficient accountability and reduce workers to mere data or productivity calculations.
He said the Church’s response to these challenges was to promote a “civilization of love,” with the family as its foundation.
Describing the family as the “first school of humanity,” Pope Leo said it is where people learn trust, generosity, dialogue and love before encountering competition, division and the pursuit of power.
He cautioned that artificial intelligence should not undermine family life by reducing human relationships to data and simulations, exposing young people to harmful content or contributing to economic conditions that make raising families increasingly difficult.
The Pontiff therefore urged lawmakers to adopt policies that strengthen marriage and family life, support parents in their educational responsibilities and give young people greater confidence in the future.
He said the world needs technology that serves humanity rather than diminishes it, stressing that human intelligence must be guided by wisdom, political authority by conscience and technological innovation by charity.
Pope Leo expressed hope that artificial intelligence would remain a servant of humanity and the common good rather than becoming a rival to human beings.
