The leader of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV has thrust the spotlight on issues surrounding AI’s threat to youths, warning that unchecked technological advances could reshape the minds of the youth in many negative ways.
Speaking at the second Rome Conference on AI, the pontiff called for immediate action to safeguard the cognitive and emotional development of the youth and the next generation from AI’s invasive reach.
In his address during the conference, Pope Leo asserted that recent studies have shown that excessive exposure to AI-driven platforms, can impair attention spans, foster anxiety, and erode critical thinking.
“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.
“No generation has ever had such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI.
“But again, access to data — however extensive — must not be confused with intelligence,” Pope Leo told business leaders, policymakers, and researchers attending the annual conference.
Beyond the psychological toll, Pope Leo also addressed what he described as the ethical quagmire of AI’s influence.
He cautioned that AI’s threat to youths extended to moral development, adding that algorithms often amplify divisive content or distort reality to keep users hooked.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the pontiff’s speech comes amid growing global concerns.
A 2024 UNESCO report found that 70% of teens feel overwhelmed by AI-curated content.
Also, the Vatican plans to host follow-up forums to draft AI ethics guidelines to address the issue.
