杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

As religious leaders from across the world gather to discuss 鈥淎I Ethics for Peace鈥� in Hiroshima, Japan, on 9 and 10 July, 杏MAP导航 Francis sends a message, pointing out that discussing peace and artificial intelligence in the city that still suffers the consequences of the atomic bomb that almost destroyed it completely in August 1945, 鈥渋s of great symbolic importance鈥�.

AI and Peace

Artificial intelligence and peace, he says, are two issues of supreme importance. The 杏MAP导航 recalled his most recent appeal on this matter to the political leaders of the G7 as they gathered in Puglia, Italy. During that meeting 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasised the importance of keeping decision-making in human hands rather than relying on machines, explaining that 鈥渢he machine makes a technical choice among several possibilities based either on well-defined criteria or on statistical inferences. Human beings, however, not only choose but in their hearts are capable of deciding鈥�.

True decisions

He says that true decisions require human wisdom and evaluation and an over-reliance on artificial intelligence could undermine human dignity.

This is precisely what we saw in Hiroshima and continue to see today, and 鈥渁mong the current conflicts impacting our world 鈥� including the hatred of war 鈥� we hear more and more about this technology鈥�, he adds.

It is crucial, the 杏MAP导航 continues, that, 鈥渦nited as brothers and sisters, we remind the world that in light of the tragedy that is armed conflict, it is urgent to reconsider the development and use of devices like the so-called 鈥榣ethal autonomous weapons鈥� and ultimately ban their use鈥�. Reiterating his plea, at the heart of many his appeals throughout his pontificate, he repeats: 鈥淣o machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being鈥欌��.

Contribution of all to a just regulation

Bringing his message to an end, 杏MAP导航 Francis asks that as we look at the complexity of the issues before us, 鈥渨e recognise the contribution of the cultural riches of peoples and religions in the regulation of artificial intelligence鈥�. This, he emphasises, 鈥渋s key to the success of your commitment to the wise management of technological innovation鈥�.

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis expresses his hope that the gathering might 鈥渂ear fruit in bringing about fraternity and cooperation鈥�, before praying that 鈥渆ach of us may become instruments of peace for the world鈥�.