VATICAN CITY (AP) - A Vatican document released on January 28, 2025, offers extensive ethical guidelines for the application of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, including warfare and healthcare. The Vatican emphasizes that AI must serve as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human intelligence.
Pope Francis has consistently raised concerns about the risks associated with AI technology, and this new document builds upon his previous warnings. The release coincides with the emergence of a new AI chatbot by Chinese tech startup DeepSeek, which has made significant strides in the AI race.
The Vatican's document stresses the need for increased human responsibility alongside the development of AI, noting that the implications of AI applications may not always be foreseeable. It asserts, “AI should be used only as a tool to complement human intelligence, rather than replace its richness.”
Moreover, the document warns of the potential for AI to escalate warfare capabilities beyond human oversight, potentially leading to a destabilizing arms race. It emphasizes that “no machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being.”
Furthermore, the Vatican cautions against viewing AI as a substitute for genuine human relationships, highlighting its lack of empathy. “While human beings are meant to experience authentic relationships, AI can only simulate them,” it states.
As society distances itself from transcendent connections, the document warns that some may turn to AI in search of meaning, a longing that can only be fulfilled through communion with God. It describes the notion of substituting God with human-made artifacts as idolatry, which is explicitly cautioned against in Scripture.
The document also addresses data privacy concerns, stating that advances in AI necessitate stronger safeguards for individual dignity and relational integrity. It calls for monitoring to prevent surveillance overreach and ensure transparency.
While acknowledging AI's potential to combat climate change and enhance emergency management, it also highlights the environmental costs associated with AI operations, including significant CO2 emissions.
In the realm of education, the document advocates for promoting critical thinking rather than merely training students to gather information. It urges educational institutions to help students understand the social and ethical implications of technology.
Finally, while AI can improve medical care, the Vatican insists that the human connection between patients and healthcare providers must remain intact. “Decisions regarding patient treatment must always reside with the human person and should never be delegated to AI,” it concludes.
The document underscores the risk of AI generating manipulated content, calling for collective vigilance to ensure the truth of disseminated information.