BARI, Italy: Pope Francis called for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons during his address to the G7 leaders’ summit in Italy. Highlighting the perils of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern warfare, the pope emphasized the need for human control over such technologies.
He urged an immediate reconsideration and ban on these weapons, stressing that no machine should ever have the authority to take a human life.
Francis, the first pope to attend a Group of Seven summit, has consistently condemned the arms industry and those who profit from conflict. He pointed out that AI, though faster, is not necessarily safer or more ethical. The development of autonomous weapons that can kill without human intervention presents significant ethical and legal challenges.
Opening remarks of President Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis at the sixth session on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa and Mediterranean #G7Italy
It is the first time in history that a Pontiff participates in the #G7 works.
Watch the video here 👇https://t.co/gkMu2Nj5d2 pic.twitter.com/obyfYECU8C
— G7 Italy (@G7) June 14, 2024
The pope described AI as both an “exciting and fearsome tool” and warned that humanity’s future would be bleak if decision-making was ceded to machines. He cautioned against a future where human dignity is compromised by reliance on AI for crucial life-and-death decisions.
The G7, comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, acknowledged AI’s potential benefits for societal progress and development. However, they also recognized the need for a responsible framework for AI’s use in the military domain. The leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining human oversight over AI-driven decisions, particularly in military contexts.
AI’s integration into modern warfare includes battlefield modeling and strategic response planning, potentially involving nuclear weapon use. Francis underscored the necessity of safeguarding human control over AI decisions, asserting that human dignity hinges on this oversight.
The Argentine pontiff’s remarks came after bilateral meetings with several leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Francis’s call for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons aligns with his broader advocacy for peace and ethical considerations in technological advancements.
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