Pope Leo XIV Urges AI Disarmament: 'Machines Are Tools, Not Persons'

Pope Leo XIV has issued a powerful call for the "disarmament" of artificial intelligence systems, stressing the imperative of human control and ethical guidance over their development and deployment. In his recent Papal Address, Pope Leo articulated that humans "have the responsibility to guide, change and, when necessary, reject its applications." He firmly stated, "Machines are tools, not persons," underscoring the distinction between technology and human agency. The Pontiff specifically encouraged United Nations member states to "take concrete steps toward banning lethal autonomous weapons" during their upcoming meeting in Geneva next month. This directive aligns with his first major papal document from May, which focused on "safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence." Pope Leo's consistent message highlights a growing global concern regarding the ethical implications and potential dangers of unchecked AI, advocating for a human-centric approach to technological advancement.