Pope Leo XIV has issued a cautionary message about the potential negative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the intellectual and neurological development of young people, warning that overreliance on AI could erode humanity’s ability to grasp and process reality.
The pontiff, who holds a degree in mathematics, addressed his concerns in a written message delivered to participants at the second Rome Conference on AI on Friday, marking his most pointed remarks on the subject since assuming leadership of the Catholic Church in May.
“All of us… are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development,” Pope Leo wrote.
He emphasized that while AI provides unprecedented access to vast amounts of data, “access to data — however extensive — must not be confused with intelligence.” He stressed that the human capacity for critical thinking and understanding must remain central in an age of automated content and instant information.
While acknowledging the potential of AI to advance medical research and scientific progress, the pope said it also “raises troubling questions on its possible repercussions” for humanity’s unique cognitive abilities.
The pope’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of AI-generated misinformation, particularly targeting high-profile figures. In recent weeks, deepfake videos and audio clips falsely attributed to the pope have circulated widely on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok. An AFP investigation identified multiple pages disseminating these fabricated messages in both English and Spanish.
Concerns have also been raised over young people’s increasing dependence on chatbots and AI-driven platforms for news and information. A recent study by the Reuters Institute found that a significant portion of youth now rely on AI tools to access current events, raising questions about the depth and reliability of their understanding.
The Vatican has been actively engaged in shaping the ethical discourse around AI. In 2020, under Pope Francis, it launched the Rome Call for AI Ethics — a framework endorsed by global stakeholders including Microsoft, IBM, the United Nations, and academic institutions — promoting transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in AI development and deployment.
