The Need for International Agreement on Artificial Intelligence Regulation

Pope Francis has issued a compelling appeal for an international treaty to oversee the development and ethical utilization of artificial intelligence. In his annual message for the World Day of Peace, the Pope stressed the significance of ensuring that AI technologies are in harmony with human values, such as compassion, mercy, morality, and forgiveness. This call comes amid the heightened global focus on the necessity to regulate AI, particularly following the recent initial endorsement of comprehensive AI regulations by European Union negotiators.

The Pope’s message holds personal significance, as earlier this year, an AI-generated image of him gained widespread attention, highlighting the swift and extensive proliferation of realistic deepfake imagery online. His concerns extend to the potential risks posed by the fast-evolving technology, including job displacement, privacy concerns, and infringement of copyright protection. The use of AI in the armaments sector is particularly troubling for the Pope, as he warned against the detachment from the tragedy of war and the diminished accountability for the use of remote weapons systems.

While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI, the Pope emphasized the necessity of ethical considerations in its development and implementation. He emphasized the importance of ensuring fundamental human rights, promoting peace, and combatting disinformation, discrimination, and distortion. Additionally, the Pope cautioned against the societal implications of automated systems that classify and rank individuals, particularly their impact on decisions related to mortgages, political asylum, and criminal reoffending.

The Pope’s message underscores the profound ethical and moral dimensions raised by the unregulated development and use of AI technologies. He emphasized that technology companies alone cannot be relied upon to self-regulate and called for a global treaty to encourage responsible practices and prevent harmful ones. For the Pope, these issues are deeply rooted in his priorities to advocate for social justice, support migrants, and minister to marginalized communities.

As the world grapples with the ethical implications of AI, the Pope’s message further amplifies the increasing calls for global regulation to ensure that artificial intelligence aligns with the values and principles that are essential to humanity’s well-being. This aligns with the recent provisional approval of comprehensive AI rules by European Union negotiators, indicating a global shift towards regulating this transformative technology on a scale that is both impactful and responsible.