Pope Leo says he’s not in ‘panic mode’ over AI, but warns against ignoring risks

Pope Leo XIV told journalists on Sept. 28 that he is not in a state of panic regarding artificial intelligence, though he cautioned against dismissing the risks the technology poses to humanity. Speaking aboard the papal flight from Metz to Rome following a four-day trip to France, the pope stated that he takes the concerns raised by AI experts seriously.

The pope noted that the Vatican has established a commission on artificial intelligence to coordinate its use within Vatican City and to study its potential benefits and risks. Since the release of his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which addresses the role of AI in society, the Vatican has received inquiries from various professional fields interested in the topic.

Pope Leo XIV said the Vatican is working to promote dialogue and investigation to ensure technological development remains at the service of humanity. He expressed optimism that the Church can help prevent AI from reaching a point where it could destroy humanity or exclude people from important conversations.