Rome pope denounces AI-driven warfare, urges safeguards
PUBLISHED May 14, 2026, 12:12 PM ET
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Pope Leo XIV on Thursday condemned the integration of artificial intelligence into modern weapons systems during a visit to Rome’s La Sapienza University, calling current global military investment a “spiral of annihilation.” The American-born pontiff criticized prioritizing high-tech arms over healthcare and education, and warned that autonomous systems threaten human dignity by reducing people to “predefined biochemical formulas.” He described AI-driven algorithms that segment users into consensus and outrage bubbles as undermining critical thinking. Leo XIV urged a global digital literacy movement and stricter safeguards by developers and policymakers so AI remains subordinate to human needs. He also met Palestinian students arriving from Gaza via a humanitarian corridor.
By Mahnoor A. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 1303 La Sapienza University founded in Rome
- 2008 Last papal visit to La Sapienza
- Recently Palestinian students evacuated from Gaza
- Thursday Pope Leo XIV visits La Sapienza
- Thursday Pope condemns AI-integrated modern weaponry
- Thursday Warns of high-tech annihilation spiral
- Thursday Calls for global digital literacy safeguards
- Thursday Meets Palestinian students in humanitarian corridor
News Intelligence
- Pope Leo's warning about AI in warfare hits home. It's about safety and rights. AI could redefine warfare, possibly putting civilians at risk. His call for digital literacy? That's about protecting your family from online manipulation. Check your kids' school for digital literacy programs.
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