The Vatican has issued a detailed document addressing the ethical implications and proper use of artificial intelligence in relation to human dignity and religious faith. The note, titled “Antiqua et nova: Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence,” was released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
The 117-paragraph document emphasizes that while AI is a valuable tool, it should never be considered equivalent to human intelligence or used in ways that diminish human dignity. It specifically addresses key areas including education, healthcare, warfare, privacy, and environmental concerns.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, who led the development of the guidance, argue that AI must remain under meaningful human control and be directed toward serving the common good. The document warns against the “technocratic paradigm” that views technological solutions as the answer to all problems.
The Vatican’s guidance explicitly condemns the use of lethal autonomous weapons systems and calls for a prohibition on their development. It also raises concerns about AI’s potential to exacerbate social inequalities and warns against the concentration of AI power in the hands of a few corporations.
Regarding education, the document emphasizes that AI should complement, not replace, the essential relationship between teachers and students. In healthcare, it stresses that decision-making responsibility must remain with human medical professionals rather than being delegated to AI systems.
The guidance addresses workplace concerns, warning against using AI in ways that degrade human labor or reduce workers to “mere cogs in a machine.” It calls for ensuring job security and just wages as AI becomes more prevalent in workplaces.
On privacy issues, the Vatican emphasizes the need to protect personal data and prevent surveillance overreach, particularly when AI systems are involved. The document also warns against social scoring systems that could limit human potential for growth and change.
The guidance concludes by calling for a “wisdom of heart” in approaching AI development and implementation, emphasizing that technological progress should always serve human dignity and the common good rather than becoming an end in itself.