It can ‘manipulate minds’ – Pope Francis warns against AI misuse

Pope Francis has cautioned against the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) misuse and the proliferation of misinformation, warning that these issues have the potential to “manipulate minds” and destabilize societies.

Speaking through a representative during his traditional New Year’s address to diplomats at the Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff highlighted the negative impact of these phenomena on civil coexistence and national stability.

“This phenomenon generates false images of reality, a climate of suspicion that foments hate, undermines people’s sense of security, and compromises civil coexistence and the stability of entire nations,” the pope stated.

According to AFP, Francis expressed concern over the exploitation of AI and modern communication tools for economic, political, and ideological purposes. He also emphasized the need for media literacy education to foster critical thinking and combat misinformation effectively.

The address coincided with recent developments in the tech industry, including Meta’s decision to end its third-party fact-checking program in the United States, opting instead for a crowd-sourced approach similar to Elon Musk’s model for X (formerly Twitter).

Beyond technology, Pope Francis criticized “cancel culture,” which he said silences diverse opinions and prioritizes individual rights over collective responsibilities. He also condemned the reinterpretation of human rights treaties for ideological purposes, singling out abortion being framed as a “right” as conflicting with the right to life.

Additionally, the pontiff warned that multilateral institutions risk becoming “like-minded clubs” that exclude differing perspectives, undermining their ability to foster global peace and unity.

Though unable to deliver the speech in person due to a cold, Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, reiterated his call for unity, critical thinking, and respect for diverse viewpoints in an increasingly polarized world.