Pope Leo XIV has issued a warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), labelling it as one of the biggest challenges of the coming years in terms of defending human dignity, justice, and labour during a meeting with cardinals at the Vatican.
He explained that the social aspects of challenges like AI partly inspired his choice of the name Leo. The Pope said, “There are several reasons, but the main one is that Pope Leo XIII addressed social issues during the first major industrial revolution through his historic encyclical ‘Rerum Novarum’. Today, the Church offers its rich social teachings as a response to this new industrial revolution and AI developments.”
The 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost, elected as the 267th pope on Thursday, also commended his predecessor, Pope Francis, for his humble lifestyle and the reforms he implemented. “Let us build on his legacy and continue the journey,” said Pope Leo.
Meanwhile, an African cardinal, Désiré Tsarahazana from Madagascar, confirmed that Pope Leo received more than 100 votes during the fourth and final round of the conclave. A two-thirds majority of 89 votes was required to become pope.
