Pope Leo XIV Warns Against AI-Directed Warfare, Citing Global Annihilation Risks
Pope Leo XIV delivered a speech at Rome's La Sapienza University, highlighting the dangers of artificial intelligence in military applications. He criticized the increasing military spending, particularly in Europe, which he argued comes at the expense of education and healthcare. The Pope emphasized the need for better monitoring of AI to ensure it does not absolve humans of responsibility or exacerbate conflicts. He pointed to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran as examples of how technology is transforming warfare into a 'spiral of annihilation.' This visit marked the first papal visit to the university since 2008, and the Pope was warmly received, including by Palestinian students who recently arrived in Italy through a humanitarian corridor.