In a world where technology is advancing at breakneck speed, the question of Artificial Intelligence, particularly systems like ChatGPT, raises concerns far beyond political and economic spheres.
Today, the Catholic religion, often represented by the Vatican, is also positioning itself at the heart of this debate. The Pope has not hesitated to speak out on AI several times in recent months. Here are his thoughts on the subject.
AI and religion: A shared fear, between loss of influence and new idols
While web developers fear losing their jobs to the rise of AI, religious institutions worry about a possible decline in their spiritual influence.
The Vatican indeed fears that tools like ChatGPT could become “new idols,” diverting the faithful from their traditional beliefs. This concern raises the question: are humans really turning to artificial intelligences for comfort rather than to God?
It’s true that AI will not replace a priest, rabbi, or imam. However, at Yiaho, we have developed religious AIs to allow the faithful to engage with these institutions virtually. In this regard, you can discover our AI Paul the Priest, which facilitates these exchanges. This small technological advancement offers those who, for example, cannot travel, the opportunity to find some comfort in wise words.
A papal intervention on artificial intelligence
On January 28, 2025, two Vatican dicasteries published a note concerning the challenges posed by AI. This statement emphasizes the need not to “blur” the line between human and machine.
Already in 2024, in the words of Pope Francis, AI must be perceived as a “galaxy of different realities,” emphasizing that its development cannot be considered beneficial for humanity without a responsible and ethical approach.
It was during the 57th World Day of Peace that the Pope had already expressed his reservations. He stated that AI “should not be seen as a simple tool, but as a complex domain requiring adequate governance, respecting fundamental human values such as inclusion, transparency, security, equity, confidentiality, and reliability.” You can find the complete note on this page.
Call for regulation and responsibility
Beyond criticizing AI development, Pope Francis advocates for stricter regulation of this technology. His statements resonate as a call to responsibility for AI developers and users. The Vatican wants these technologies to be oriented toward promoting peace among peoples, a central concern in religious teachings.
Read also on this subject: A church in Switzerland installs an AI Jesus: “Deus in Machina”
Is religion in danger from AI? What are the future prospects?
While Pope Francis continues to warn about the potential dangers of AI, the question remains: will his calls for vigilance and regulation be heard by players in the technology sector? The answer remains uncertain.
What we can affirm is that AI, and particularly tools like ChatGPT, spark essential debates about the nature of our humanity and our relationship with technology. Ultimately, it is imperative that these discussions continue, integrating an ethical perspective capable of guiding the future development of Artificial Intelligence.
Source: La Croix
