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Pope Leo XIV Calls for Disarmament of AI and Ban on Lethal Autonomous Weapons
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV called for the 'disarmament' of AI systems.
- He urged UN member states to ban lethal autonomous weapons.
- Pope Leo stated AI are tools, not persons, requiring human oversight.
- He warned against granting AI systems rights or legal personhood.
Call for AI Disarmament and Ban on Autonomous Weapons
Pope Leo XIV delivered a Papal Address calling for the 'disarmament' of AI systems. He encouraged United Nations member states to take concrete steps toward banning lethal autonomous weapons during their upcoming meeting in Geneva. This stance aligns with his earlier papal document from May, which focused on safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.
AI as Tools, Not Persons
In his address, Pope Leo XIV reiterated that 'Machines are tools, not persons.' He warned against the dangers of granting AI systems rights or legal personhood, emphasizing that decisions impacting human life, freedom, and the use of force must always remain subject to effective, informed, and responsible human oversight.
Precedent and Context
This call echoes a similar sentiment from Pope Francis in 2024, who also advocated for a ban on autonomous weapons, stating that no machine should choose to take a human life. Pope Leo XIV has frequently addressed AI, suggesting his chosen name reflects a parallel to Pope Leo XIII's leadership during the Industrial Revolution, confronting technological advancements.
International Oversight and Accountability
Pope Leo XIV concluded his address by urging international institutions to safeguard the common good from AI-related risks. He called for shared standards, independent oversight, and clear mechanisms of accountability to ensure that decisions regarding AI development and use can be examined, challenged, and remedied for any harm caused.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Pope Leo XIV urged United Nations member states to ban lethal autonomous weapons and emphasized that AI systems are tools requiring human oversight. He stated that decisions affecting human life must remain under human control and warned against granting AI legal personhood.