Pope Leo XIV has urged global tech leaders to adopt an ethical framework for artificial intelligence that upholds human dignity.

He made the appeal during the second annual Rome Conference on AI, held at the Vatican.

In a message delivered Friday to Vatican officials and executives from companies including Google, OpenAI, IBM, and Meta, the pontiff said AI should prioritize the “well-being of the human person— materially, intellectually, and spiritually.”

“No generation has ever had such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI,” Pope Leo said, noting that access to data— however extensive, must not be confused with intelligence.

He also warned of AI’s potential harm to children’s neurological development, emphasizing the need for systems that foster rather than replace human gifts.

The pope’s remarks were made inside the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace during a closed-door session focused on AI governance. The conference, attended by Silicon Valley leaders and scholars from Harvard and Stanford, took place as international debate intensifies over AI’s societal risks and the weakening of regulations.

“In some cases, AI has been used in positive and noble ways,” Leo added, “but there is likewise the possibility of its misuse for selfish gain or to foment conflict.”

The Vatican, though lacking regulatory power, has pushed for human-centered AI since 2020 and was instrumental in launching the “Rome Call for AI Ethics.”

Pope Leo, elected last month, signaled he will continue his predecessor Francis’ legacy of tech engagement, comparing today’s AI revolution to the upheaval of the industrial era.