Vatican urges regulation of AI to prevent misinformation
A new Vatican document warns of AI’s potential to undermine societal foundations through fake media.
The Vatican has urged governments to monitor AI closely, warning of its potential to spread misinformation and destabilise society. A new document, Antica et nova (Ancient and New), written by two Vatican departments and approved by Pope Francis, highlights the ethical concerns surrounding AI, particularly in its ability to fuel political polarisation and social unrest through fake media.
Pope Francis, who has focused on AI ethics in recent years, emphasised its societal risks in messages to global leaders, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the G7 summit in Italy. The pope has repeatedly warned against letting algorithms dictate human destiny, calling for AI to be ethically guided to serve humanity.
The document examines AI’s influence across sectors like labour, healthcare, and education, noting the moral responsibility tied to its use. It stresses that careful regulation is essential to prevent the misuse of AI technologies, as they hold both the promise of progress and the potential for harm.
About author
DW Team
The GIP Digital Watch Observatory team, consisting of over 30 digital policy experts from around the world, excels in the fields of research and analysis on digital policy issues. The team is backed by the creative prowess of Creative Lab Diplo and the technical expertise of the Diplo tech team.
