Just two days ago, in his meeting with the students of the La Sapienza University of Rome, speaking of “rearmament which increases tensions and insecurity”, Leo XIV had reminded young people to be careful of the risks of artificial intelligence saying: «It is also necessary to monitor the development and application of artificial intelligence in the military and civil spheres so that they do not remove responsibility for human choices».
Today the Pontiff reaffirmed his great attention to the challenges, problems and potential posed by the development of artificial intelligence approving the establishment of the Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence, by Cardinal Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, who will be its coordinator.
The body is established pursuant to article 28 of the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangeliumaccording to which a head of ministry can create a special interdicasterial commission to deal with “matters of mixed competence” which require “mutual and frequent consultation”.
Here is what we read in the rescript signed by the prefect of the Dicastery for Providing Integral Human Development: «The Commission is made up of representatives of the Dicastery for Providing Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Dicastery for Communication, the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Any changes to the composition of the Commission will be subject to the approval of the Holy Father.
The Head of each Institution listed delegates a representative for the Commission. The coordination of the Commission is entrusted, for one year, possibly renewable, to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Subsequently, the Roman Pontiff will entrust the coordination to one of the participating institutions, again for a period of one year. It is up to the coordinating institution to facilitate collaboration and exchange between the members of the group of information regarding the activities and projects concerning Artificial Intelligence, including the policies of its use within the Holy See, promoting dialogue, communion and participation”.
