In a urgent appeal, Pope Francis has called on global leaders to reassess the development and deployment of lethal autonomous weapons, warning of the potentially catastrophic consequences of allowing machines to decide life and death. Speaking at a Vatican conference on artificial intelligence, the Pope emphasized the need for ethical considerations to guide technological advancements, stressing that human life and dignity must always be paramount. He urged nations to work together to establish clear international norms and regulations governing the use of autonomous weapons, ensuring that humanity is not relinquishing its moral agency to machines.
The Pope’s timely intervention comes as the development of lethal autonomous weapons, also known as “killer robots,” is gaining momentum. The Vatican’s stance echoes concerns raised by experts and organizations worldwide, who fear that these weapons could lead to a new era of warfare, where machines make life-or-death decisions without human oversight or accountability. By adding his voice to the chorus of concern, Pope Francis is urging the international community to prioritize human values and moral principles in the face of rapid technological progress.
