At a conference of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Catholic Church called for global rules for the use of AI, while the Pope speaks out against a technological arms race.
What does the Pope say in detail? Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly emphasized since his appointment in May 2025 that he considers Artificial Intelligence to be a central topic. He sees the current technological progress as a new industrial revolution and hopes that AI can create a “more authentic, just, and humane global society”.
For this to happen, he believes that much must still change. Currently, the new technology is rather a “threat to human dignity, justice, and work”. He criticizes the technological arms race in the world and advocates for a “courage of disarmament”.
When Microsoft meets the Vatican
What happened at the conference? On October 16 and 17, 2025, a Vatican conference brought together 50 experts from around the world to discuss how AI can serve the cause of peace, social justice, and holistic human development.
Academics met practical perspectives, theoretical research met concrete case studies and experiences. The main findings from the seminar:
- The participants reinforce the Pope’s criticism and emphasize the urgency of stopping the AI arms race.
- Much more importantly, it is essential to distribute the benefits of AI fairly while keeping social justice in mind. There must not be a monopolistic concentration in the AI market.
- According to the experts, it is also important to create a binding regulatory framework for all, building on existing AI regulatory initiatives.
Other topics included reducing the energy consumption of AI data centers, developing a reasonable AI infrastructure, and improving collaboration between countries. There was even discussion about developing “neuro-rights” to protect individuals from dangers posed by invasive technologies such as brain chips.
Exciting: Microsoft had an expert on site to give a talk about the future of AI. Tech competitors like Google, Meta, or Apple stayed away from the event. How wildly artificial intelligence is already being used is demonstrated by an example from Albania: European country appoints AI as Minister, in her first speech in Parliament she criticizes “decisions of the powerful”
