Pope Francis to Discuss AI at G7 Summit

Pope Francis is poised to make history by attending the G7 summit this Friday, where he is expected to call on global leaders to establish regulations for artificial intelligence (AI). The Vatican confirmed his participation in the Group of 7 conference in Italy, marking the first time a pope will join the summit.

The pontiff’s interest in AI ethics stems from previous incidents where he was the target of AI-generated deepfake images, such as the widely circulated “Balenciaga Pope” meme featuring him in a white puffer jacket and bedazzled crucifix. In response to these images, Pope Francis expressed concerns over the proliferation of “images that appear perfectly plausible but false,” a sentiment he reiterated during a speech in Vatican City earlier this year.

During the G7 meetings, Italy is expected to champion the development of AI systems in African countries, while the Hiroshima Process—a G7 initiative aimed at ensuring the responsible use of generative AI—is set to be a focal point of discussion. Leaders from countries like the U.S. and the U.K. are also expected to highlight existing AI regulations in their respective nations.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the Pope’s involvement in the G7 conference, stating that his presence will help establish a regulatory, ethical, and cultural framework for artificial intelligence. The Vatican further announced that Pope Francis will hold bilateral talks with leaders from several countries, including President Joe Biden, President Samoei Ruto of Kenya, and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pope Francis has long been an advocate for AI regulation, with the Vatican promoting the “Rome Call for AI Ethics” since 2020. This initiative outlines six principles for AI ethics, including transparency, inclusion, impartiality, responsibility, reliability, and security and privacy. In his messages leading up to the World Day of Peace, the Pope has emphasized the need for an open dialogue on the implications of AI, cautioning that while technology can benefit humanity, it also grants unprecedented control over reality.

Italy made headlines in March 2023 when it became the first country to temporarily ban the AI chatbot ChatGPT, citing privacy concerns. Other countries, including Australia, China, the European Union, Japan, the U.S., and the U.K., have also introduced or passed laws regulating AI, reflecting the global effort to address the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence.