Pope emphasizes that AI safety concerns must be taken seriously
Quick Look
- Pope Leo XIV emphasized that concerns about the safety of AI are not fake news and should be seriously discussed.
- When asked about the role of the United States and China, the Pope said the concerns of experts and intellectuals should be taken seriously, contrasting his stance with President Trump's opposition to limiting the pace of AI.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Pope Leo
“The concerns raised by many experts and intellectuals must be taken seriously.”
“It doesn’t seem like they were trying to make a profit”… Call for politicians, industry, and citizens to check the situation
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim A-ram = Pope Leo
According to the Associated Press, at a press conference held on the 28th (local time) on a private plane returning from a trip to France, the Pope was asked what the United States and China in particular should do to prevent the devastating threat that AI will pose to humanity.
Pope Leo
Regarding the AI issue, the Pope said, "If someone were to ask me if I was 'panicked' right now, I would say no and I am sleeping well at night. What I really want to say is that the concerns raised by many AI experts and intellectuals should be taken seriously."
He emphasized, "I do not believe that this is fake news aimed at gaining any benefit, financial or otherwise, as some people claim."
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his dislike for the theory of AI speed control, dismissing concerns that AI could lead to the end of humanity as a 'hoax'.
In a recent TruthSocial post, President Trump reaffirmed his determination to win the competition with China without stopping the pace of America's AI development, saying, "There is a disgusting conspiracy targeting AI and data centers, and the only country that will be happy about it is China."
Previously, the Pope had criticized the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, and had a confrontational stance with President Trump by opposing the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.
“Political leaders, AI leaders, social groups and associations must come together to keep track of what is already happening and what could happen in the future,” the Pope said. “It is not a responsible attitude to simply close our eyes and say that it will not happen.”
He said he had been receiving input from people who wanted to engage in a broader conversation about AI since publishing the encyclical in May, which called for AI to be "disarmed" so it cannot dominate humans.
The Pope expressed hope that a solution would be found, saying he was "relatively optimistic" that a solution would be found.
“I think there are enough people who are truly interested in this issue and want to look at it, regardless of power or who gets the upper hand,” he said.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The United States and China will consider forming a bilateral or multilateral consultative body to discuss AI safety.
Possible · Within months
Vatican to issue additional statement or guidance on AI ethics issues
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Are the U.S. and China actually willing to cooperate on AI safety discussions?
- What specific organization or format will be prepared at the AI discussion table proposed by the Pope?
- How will the Trump administration's AI policy change in the future?
