Pope offers scientists 5 considerations in guiding AI’s development

October 31, 2026

Pope Leo XIV offered scientists in the field of artificial intelligence five considerations for AI’s future development.

The Pontiff addressed participants in “The Future of AI: A Dialogue Between the Vatican and the Scientific World on the Developments and Applications of Intelligent Technologies.” Participants in the dialogue, organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life and the Future of Life Institute, included

• members of the Vatican’s Inter-Dicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence
• Stuart Russell, professor of computer science at the University of California at Berkeley and president of the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI
• Max Tegmark, MIT physicist and chairman of the Future of Life Institute.

“I am grateful to you for sharing your concerns, as well as your ideas and proposals for the future,” Pope Leo said during the October 30 audience, which took place in Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace. “These are the first fruits of a transdisciplinary approach, which is increasingly necessary if we are to address the complexity of the great challenges of our time.”

The Pope’s five considerations were

• “First, the future of artificial intelligence is not pre-determined.”
• “Second, machines are tools, not persons.”
• “Third, certain decisions must never be delegated.”
• “Fourth, intelligent technologies must be directed toward the common good.”
• Fifth, “we already know many of the ethical principles that should guide the development of artificial intelligence. What we currently need are institutions capable of putting these principles into practice, particularly effective international institutions that can safeguard the global common good.”

In discussing the second consideration, Pope Leo warned that “today, some propose granting these systems rights, or even legal personhood. Such an approach risks obscuring human responsibility and leaving those who suffer harm to confront a faceless entity.”

“When a person is placed on a target list or entered into a border control database, there is a danger that he or she will be reduced to a mere data point,” the Pope added as he discussed the third consideration. Decisions affecting human life, freedom and the use of force must always remain subject to effective, informed and responsible human oversight.”

 

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Further information:

• To the Participants in the Meeting Promoted by the Pontifical Academy for Life (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 10/30/26)
• Audience with participants in the meeting organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life (Holy See Press Office, 10/30/26)
• Pope on AI: Decisions affecting human life must never be delegated (Vatican News, 10/30/26)
• Vatican hosts leading AI scientists and experts for dialogue on the future of Artificial Intelligence and Human Dignity (Pontifical Academy for Life)