AI can worsen ‘crisis of truth’, says Pope in message to Davos forum
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Pope Francis was himself seen in a viral deep-fake photo in early 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis on Jan 23 urged political, economic and business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to keep close oversight of the development of artificial intelligence (AI), warning the technology can exacerbate a growing “crisis of truth”.
In a written message read to the annual meeting at the Swiss resort town, which is partly focusing on AI in 2025, the Pontiff praised the technology’s abilities but said it also raises “critical concerns” about humanity’s future.
“The results that AI can produce are almost indistinguishable from those of human beings, raising questions about its effect on the growing crisis of truth in the public forum,” Pope Francis said.
“To navigate the complexities of AI, governments and businesses must exercise due diligence and vigilance,” he said in the statement read on his behalf at the Davos meeting by Cardinal Peter Turkson, a Vatican official.
Pope Francis, leader of the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church since 2013, has focused on ethical issues surrounding AI in recent years.
He spoke about the technology at the Group of Seven summit in Italy last June, and said people should not let algorithms decide their destiny.
The Pope was also the victim of a viral deep-fake photo in early 2024, created by an image generating program, which appeared to show him wearing an ankle-length white puffer coat. REUTERS