Pope Leo Warns AI 'Must Be Disarmed' Ahead of Autonomous Weapons Talks
Leo rejected the idea that increasingly sophisticated AI systems should be regarded in the same way as human beings.
Pope Leo XIV has implored nations to "disarm" artificial intelligence (AI) before talks in Geneva over autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) next month. In a post on X, the pontiff stated that the future of AI is not predetermined and that those developing, deploying, and regulating the technology bear responsibility. "We therefore have the responsibility to guide, change and, when necessary, reject its applications," Leo said.
The intervention comes as states prepare to address LAWS that have sparked debate over the extent of control machines should have in targeting humans. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, have renewed their call for prohibitions on autonomous weapon systems, warning that the risks have intensified as weapon technology advances at record speed.
The upcoming November Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons could provide an opportunity for states to negotiate a legally binding instrument. Pope Leo emphasized the importance of preserving human responsibility when AI is used in consequential decisions, rejecting the idea of granting AI systems rights or legal personhood.
He argued that AI should be developed for the "common good" and called for international oversight mechanisms to examine and challenge AI decisions, ensuring accountability and remedies for any harm caused.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
