Pope Leo XIV warns against algorithm decisions

Pope Leo XIV warned on Wednesday against delegating to algorithms decisions that he said should belong only to human conscience, as he addressed his weekly general audience in the Vatican.

Speaking to thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square, the pope said technology, mass media, social networks and artificial intelligence had opened new possibilities by reducing barriers and distances. But he warned that relationships risk becoming less personal and more virtual.

He said the Christian community sought to help ensure that social relationships had real substance and personal depth.

The remarks followed his May encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas”, in which he called for AI to be “disarmed” to prevent it from dominating humanity. The Holy See has also increased its interventions in support of international AI governance based on human dignity, including in nuclear technology, culture and artistic creation.