When Pope Francis warned world about the potential and risks of AI

Pope Francis, who consistently championed the use of technology for the betterment of humanity, has died at the age of 88. Notably, the pontiff was a strong voice in the discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), and earlier this year, issued a compelling appeal for its ethical application. He cautioned against the potential for new technological advancements to be misused for manipulation.

In his annual address to diplomats at the Vatican in January this year, Pope Francis expressed deep concerns about the rising tide of misinformation and its potential for manipulation through social media and AI, as per news agency AFP.

Pope Francis said AI can amplify misinformation
The address highlighted the “continuous creation and spread of fake news,” which Francis argued not only distorts facts but also alters perceptions.

“This phenomenon generates false images of reality, a climate of suspicion that foments hate, undermines people's sense of security and compromises civil coexistence and the stability of entire nations,” he stated.

Addressing political leaders, Pope Francis lamented the growing trend of “the denial of self-evident truths.” He warned that “these tendencies can be amplified by the modern communications media and by artificial intelligence; they can be misused to manipulate minds for economic, political and ideological ends.”

The 88-year-old pontiff emphasized the importance of media literacy education to foster critical thinking and combat the spread of false information.

Pope Francis’ AI-generated photos on social media
The pontiff, who was among the most-created AI personalities when AI took off, cautioned that these tools could be “misused to manipulate minds”.

In 2024, Pope Francis delivered a stark warning about the potential dangers of AI in a Vatican City address, describing the technology's capabilities as “both exciting and disorienting.” His concerns follow a widely circulated AI-generated image, which depicted him in a white puffer coat, highlighting the technology's power to create convincing but fabricated content.

“At this time in history, which risks becoming rich in technology and poor in humanity, our reflections must begin with the human heart,” Pope Francis said.