Redazione RHC : 27 June 2025 09:20
The head of the Catholic Churchhas expressed concern about the way today’s children and adolescents interact with digital technologies. In his viewthe abundance of information available through neural networks and other intelligent systems can seriously affect the mental and intellectual development of the younger generations.
Pope Leo XIV has warned of the risks thatthe rapid development of artificial intelligence could pose to young people. He expressed his position at the Second Annual Rome Conference on AI, part of which is being held in the Vatican.
At the same time, the Pontiff noted that artificial intelligence in itself does not pose a threat. It can be useful if used responsibly. However, technologies should not become a tool for manipulation, violation of human rights or provocation of conflict.
The assessment of the impact of digitalization should be based not only on technical criteria, but also on higher ethical principles. It is important to maintainrespect for human dignity and cultural diversity and remember that access to large amounts of data does not necessarily imply the possession of authentic knowledge or understanding.
The ability to process information should not be confused withthe ability to think independently. True knowledge requires reflection and critical thinking, not blind trust in algorithms.
Let us recall that Leo XIV became Pope in May this year, replacing the late Pope Francis. Since the beginning of his pontificate,he has paid particular attention to issues of digitalisation and its impact on society. Among his priorities is the protection of fundamental values such as human dignity, justice and workers’ rights. The pontiff is convinced that technical progress cannot be separated from moral responsibility.
The Pope made his statement during discussions at a conference on artificial intelligence that brought together representatives of the Church, academia, industry and human rights organizations. The main goal of the event is finding a balance between technological development and humanistic values.
The Holy See has already raised the issue of ethics in high technology. The Vatican has consistently called not to demonize artificial intelligence, but rather to find ways to use it safely and responsibly. Experts emphasize that the active participation of the Catholic Church in such discussions is an important step towards creating a global dialogue on the future of technology. After all, the influence of intelligent machines today goes far beyond the economy, touching on culture, education and even questions of human identity.
The concerns expressed are sharedby many teachers, parents and scientists. The question is becoming more and more recurrent:how to ensure the harmonious development of children in the new world? According to observers, this issue will become one of the key issues for the new head of the Catholic Church in the coming years.
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