The Pope spoke out against artificial intelligence

Pope Leo XIV has stated that the use of artificial intelligence during military operations must be subject to ethical restrictions.

This is outlined in the pontiff's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas ("Let Us Remain Human").

"Control over artificial intelligence must not remain in the hands of 'the few,' and technologies are fueling global conflicts," the pontiff believes.

The encyclical speaks of the need to protect the unique "greatness of humanity" amid rapidly changing technologies, and also contains a demand that the use of artificial intelligence for military purposes be subject to "the strictest ethical restrictions."

The Pope stated that the "just war" theory — a Christian doctrine of four principles defining the conditions under which war may be considered justified — is now outdated. He believes that military force may only be used for "self-defense in the strictest sense."

"Creating a world in a state of permanent conflict is evil, and it must be called by its name... Humanity has far more effective and efficient tools for protecting human life and resolving conflicts, such as dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness," writes Leo XIV.

An encyclical is the principal papal document on important socio-political, religious, and moral issues.