Pope Leo XIV demands ethical control over AI to save jobs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and unregulated automation could pose a risk to humanity, Pope Leo XIV has warned. According to a report by Aaj Tak, Pope Leo stated that AI is changing the way people work, raising a serious question regarding the status of employees when machines begin to perform more work than humans. He clarified that AI and unregulated automation could become a major risk to jobs, human dignity, and the future of work.

Pope Leo XIV emphasised that this critical issue cannot be left solely to companies driven by profit motives or technology companies creating more powerful AI systems. In his view, technology must always remain within the bounds of ethics. He added that the success of any business should not be measured solely on the basis of economic gain. The primary objective of technology should be to help people, not to remove them from work and push them to the margins.

Pope Leo expressed his concern through a post on the social media platform X. He wrote, "The challenges arising from Artificial Intelligence and unregulated automation could put countless jobs at risk and could become a real threat to the true and complete development of man." He further added that technology should always be subordinate to ethics, as no algorithm can ever replace human understanding or the importance of an employee.

He also launched a sharp attack on businesses that view economic profit as the sole criterion for success. Pope Leo noted that when economic profit becomes the only measure of success, businesses drift away from human values. In such a situation, a business turns into a sinful system that excludes common people. He has appealed to all business leaders to rethink their ideology.

According to Pope Leo XIV, the purpose of investment should not merely be to achieve economic gain, but it should also ensure the security of employees and the protection of the environment. He said that ultimately, the success of a business should be measured by how much it has contributed to the common good of society and the welfare of people. He clarified that if the cost of any development has to be paid by vulnerable communities or future generations, it cannot be called true progress.

Speaking on environmental issues, he said, "True progress is not that which increases the prosperity of a few by damaging the environment." Placing the burden of damage on underprivileged communities or compromising the lives of future generations can never be true development. Pope Leo emphasised that it is imperative to prioritise jobs, human dignity, the environment, and inclusivity in the use of AI and automation.

This is not the first time Pope Leo has expressed concern regarding AI. Previously, he was also concerned about the impact of AI on human dignity, creativity, and labour. He had earlier appealed to artists, the Church, and cultural institutions to work together to protect humanity from the impact of AI-generated content. He believes that machines do not possess the human experience and intention that lies behind authentic artistic expression.

Pope Leo also spoke about "disarming" AI. Through this strong terminology, he drew attention to the urgent need for ethical safeguards for AI. His recent comments indicate that his concern is no longer limited to art and creativity, but has extended to the world of work and the field of employment.