Pope Francis cautions against the misuse of AI and F@ke news
Pope Francis, on Thursday 9th January 2025, cautioned against the misuse of artificial intelligence and the spread of f@ke news, w@rning of their potential d@nger to society.
“This phenomenon generates f@lse images of reality, a climate of suspicion that foments h@te, undermines people’s sense of security, and compromises civil coexistence and the stability of entire nations,” the 88-year-old pope said in a speech read during his traditional New Year’s address to diplomats at the Vatican.
Francis, who has frequently spoken out against f@ke news, highlighted the role of modern communication tools in amplifying these tendencies.
According to him, such tools, including AI, could be exploited for economic, political, and ideological ends.
The address came just days after Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced the termination of its third-party fact-checking program in the US, opting instead for a crowd-sourced model similar to Elon Musk’s approach with Twitter (X).
Francis also emphasized the importance of media literacy education, urging efforts to promote critical thinking in the face of misinformation.
On broader societal concerns, Francis criticized “cancel culture” for silencing differences and prioritizing individual rights over collective responsibilities.
He also condemned attempts to reinterpret human rights treaties for divisive ideological purposes, singling out the framing of ab0rtion as a “right” as contrary to the right to life.
Francis further w@rned that multilateral institutions risk becoming “like-minded clubs” that exclude differing perspectives, jeopardizing their ability to maintain global peace and stability.
The pope, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, was unable to deliver the speech himself due to a cold but reiterated his call for unity, critical thinking, and respect for diverse viewpoints in an increasingly fragmented world.
Read also: Nigerian woman narrates how she cancelled her wedding just a day to the ceremony
