What does the Vatican know about AI? A lot actually

Feb 14, 2025

The Vatican’s role in the evolving discussion around artificial intelligence (A.I.) may surprise some. It might seem unexpected to consider the Church as a leader in a field so closely tied to technology, but the Vatican has, in fact, been at the forefront of shaping AI ethics for over a decade. The Vatican’s newest document, Antiqua et Nova, released January 28, marks the latest step in its long-standing commitment to guiding the ethical development of A.I.

The Vatican’s journey into AI ethics began as early as 2007, when Pope Benedict XVI warned that modern science and technology, including AI, could lose sight of its true purpose: to safeguard humanity and promote goodness. Over the years, as AI evolved— particularly with the breakthrough of deep learning — the Vatican continued to engage in conversations about its role in society. In 2015, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences hosted a workshop focusing on data processing, followed by another in 2016 that looked specifically at AI and its limitations.

In the subsequent years, Vatican representatives regularly participated in tech discussions, including at major events like the Web Summit in Lisbon and the South by Southwest festival in Austin. By 2018, Pope Francis’ AI advisor, Franciscan friar Paolo Benanti, had become a key figure in AI ethics. That year, Microsoft’s senior executives began collaborating with Vatican officials to create a shared vision for ethical AI. This partnership, which resulted in the Rome Call for AI Ethics in 2020, became a foundational document that would influence the development of international AI standards. Signed by Microsoft, IBM, and other global institutions, it calls for AI that promotes human dignity and the common good.

The Vatican’s collaboration with tech giants has been multifaceted. In 2024, the Vatican and Microsoft revealed a joint project to create an AI model of St Peter’s Basilica. Meanwhile, the Vatican’s use of AI extended to its own archives, where it worked with tech experts to develop tools to read ancient Latin manuscripts. These innovations are part of the Vatican’s broader commitment to ensuring that AI serves humanity, not the other way around.

Pope Francis has been vocal about the potential dangers of unchecked AI. He has repeatedly warned against AI systems that could manipulate people’s opinions or undermine democracy. In 2019, he addressed the dangers of “false data” being generated by AI, stressing the importance of truth and integrity in technology. The following year, he called for a treaty on AI that would protect people from exploitation and ensure that AI enhances human flourishing rather than replacing human agency.

One of the Vatican’s most significant initiatives in AI ethics was the publication of the Rome Call for AI Ethics in 2020, a document that drew global attention. The call emphasised AI as a tool that must respect human dignity, privacy, and rights. It laid out guiding principles for the ethical development of AI, encouraging collaboration across the public, private, and civil sectors. It has since been signed by nearly 70 organisations, from tech giants to governments and civil society groups.

The Vatican’s influence on AI also extends beyond religious institutions. In 2023, the European Commission drew from the Rome Call to inform its own AI code of conduct. The Vatican has also become a regular presence in global AI discussions, influencing policies and strategies aimed at safeguarding humanity in the age of intelligent machines.

In 2024, the Vatican hosted two more AI conferences, with Pope Francis addressing the G7 summit on AI ethics. His message was clear: AI should never replace human decision-making. He warned that if humans were relegated to being mere bystanders in the decisions shaping their lives, it would “condemn humanity to a future without hope.” The message was a reiteration of the Vatican’s long-standing position that human dignity must be at the heart of all technological advancement.

The Vatican’s latest document, Antiqua et Nova, takes this message further, emphasising the need for international cooperation and legal frameworks to govern AI’s ethical development. With its historical commitment to safeguarding human dignity and promoting the common good, the Vatican is uniquely positioned to continue shaping the conversation around AI ethics in the years to come. As AI becomes increasingly ubiquitous, the Church’s role as a moral compass in the technological age will only grow more vital. --America Magazine