Pope Francis will participate in a working session focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) at the upcoming G7 summit in southern Italy this June, as announced by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
This historic participation marks the first time a pontiff engages in the G7’s deliberations, emphasizing the significance of ethical considerations in AI advancement. The session, designated for guest participants, underscores the urgency to address ethical dimensions in technology within the Group of Seven industrialized nations meeting in Puglia.
At 87, Pope Francis has been vocal about the ethical implications of AI proliferation, advocating for a global treaty to ensure its responsible use. Meloni commended the Vatican’s efforts in researching the practical application of ethical algorithms, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework.
The pope’s presence is expected to provide valuable insights into shaping ethical, regulatory, and cultural guidelines for AI. Amid mounting concerns surrounding AI’s impact, including the emergence of mass-market AI such as the ChatGPT chatbot in 2022, Pope Francis published a detailed message in December highlighting the risks, from disinformation to blurred accountability in decision-making.
Echoing the pope’s concerns, Meloni stressed the necessity for international cooperation in developing governance mechanisms to uphold human-centric and controlled AI.
The G7 summit, convening leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States, promises to be a pivotal forum for shaping the ethical landscape of AI. Scheduled from June 13 to 15 at Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, the summit aims to foster dialogue and consensus on pressing global challenges, with AI ethics at the forefront of discussions.
