Pope Leo XIV Highlights AI's Threats to Youth Development

Pope Leo XIV has issued a stark warning about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on young people's intellectual, neurological, and spiritual development. During a conference held partly in the Vatican, the first American pope urged that AI development must adhere to ethical standards safeguarding human dignity and world diversity.

Leo emphasized the risks facing new generations, who have unprecedented access to information. He highlighted the need for society to support the nurturing of innate talents and capabilities, rather than confusing data access with genuine intelligence.

Echoing Pope Leo XIII's focus on workers' rights during the Industrial Revolution, Pope Leo XIV sees AI as a monumental issue affecting justice, dignity, and labor. He calls for policies ensuring AI remains 'human-centric,' following the path set by his predecessor, Pope Francis.

(With inputs from agencies.)