By Happiness Edeawe
Pope Leo XIV has issued a stark warning about the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on young people, cautioning that excessive reliance on AI tools may impair their intellectual and neurological development and distort their understanding of reality.
In a written address delivered to attendees of the Second Rome Conference on AI, the Pope, who holds a degree in mathematics, expressed concern about how fast growing access to AI-generated information is reshaping how the younger generation processes knowledge.
“We are all concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development,” Pope Leo said, highlighting the risks of confusing massive data access with genuine intelligence.
While acknowledging AI’s potential in advancing scientific discovery and healthcare research, the American-born Pontiff warned that it also “raises troubling questions” about its impact on humanity’s core cognitive abilities. “Access to data, however extensive must not be confused with intelligence,” he noted.
The Pope’s comments come amid a wave of online disinformation targeting him personally. In recent weeks, deepfake videos and AI generated audio clips impersonating the Pontiff have circulated widely across platforms like YouTube and TikTok. An AFP investigation recently exposed dozens of such AI-manipulated posts mimicking his voice in both English and Spanish.
The Catholic Church has been proactive in shaping ethical discourse around emerging technologies. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican launched the Rome Call for AI Ethics in 2020, a global initiative co-signed by Microsoft, IBM, the UN, and several academic institutions. The document advocates for transparency, human centered AI, and privacy protection.
A recent Reuters Institute report found that many young people are increasingly turning to AI-powered chatbots for news and information, a trend that further underscores the Pope’s concerns about technology’s influence on how reality is perceived and interpreted.
As AI continues to reshape communication, education, and culture, Pope Leo’s remarks serve as a reminder of the need for ethical vigilance and mindful use especially when shaping the minds of the next generation.
