NAIROBI, Kenya- Remember that viral image of Pope Francis rocking a stylish white puffer jacket?
It caused a social media storm, but here’s the kicker: it was a ‘deep fake’ created by AI.
The pope stepped into the AI debate, aiming to ensure this powerful technology benefits humanity rather than becoming a 21st-century Frankenstein.
Pope Francis made history by becoming the first pope to participate in the G7 summit.
The 87-year-old pontiff, who trained as a chemist in his youth, joined a session dedicated to artificial intelligence.
In the first address by a pope to a meeting of G7 leaders, he said it should never be for machines to decide whether human beings live or die.
“In light of the tragedy that is armed conflict, it is urgent to reconsider the development and use of devices like the so-called ‘lethal autonomous weapons’ and ultimately ban their use,” he told the world leaders.
“This starts from an effective and concrete commitment to introduce ever greater and proper human control. No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being,” he added.
In a message last year, Francis warned against a “technological dictatorship” without proper regulation.
His vision for AI includes strict ethical guidelines to prevent these risks. The Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life has been pushing for an ethical framework since 2020, encapsulated in the “Rome Call for AI Ethics.”
This document outlines six principles for AI ethics, including transparency, inclusion, and responsibility.
Big tech players like Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco have already signed on, alongside various governments and religious leaders.
Father Paolo Benanti, a Franciscan friar and AI advisor to the Vatican, highlights that Francis’s approach focuses on AI’s social implications.
Benanti emphasizes that AI should not exacerbate inequalities, especially in the global south where access to technology is limited.
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, adds that only international regulation can effectively prevent the misuse of AI, ensuring sustainable development for all.
Father Philip Larrey, author of “Artificial Humanity” and AI expert, describes the pope’s attendance as “quite surprising” but crucial.
He believed Francis’s presence would influence the summit’s outcomes, stressing the importance of reflecting on AI’s ethical implications.
The deep fake image of the pope in the puffer jacket was a landmark moment in AI’s development, highlighting its potential for both creativity and deception.
Francis has addressed the dangers of disinformation, noting his own experiences with deep fakery.
He sees AI as part of an “epochal change” in the 21st century, emphasizing the need for ethical oversight.
Pope Francis aims to ensure that AI’s evolution benefits humanity.
His vision is clear: new technology should serve everyone, not just a privileged few. As the world watches, the pope’s historic intervention could shape the future of AI for generations to come.
