Pope says concerns about AI 'should be taken seriously'

Pope Leo XIV cautioned on September 28 that concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI) deserve serious consideration. However, he did not express panic over the issue. During a press conference aboard his return flight from France, the pontiff addressed various topics while emphasizing the importance of ethical discernment in the face of rapidly advancing technology.

Pope Leo XIV acknowledged that parts of the Catholic Church had occasionally engaged in abusive behavior, but he refrained from labeling such misconduct as systemic within the Church. When asked if he appeared to be in a state of panic, the pope affirmed that he was not, stating that he slept peacefully at night. The pope also defended his opposition to assisted dying, maintaining that this stance was rooted in moral principles rather than political considerations.

Despite France's recent parliamentary decision allowing assisted dying in specific cases, the pope emphasized that the Church aimed to support individuals facing sickness, disability, or pain by upholding the inherent value of human life.