Lenten Campaign 2025
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Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace, reshaping industries and daily life. But as AI becomes more integrated into society, the Vatican is sounding an urgent alarm: The technology should be regulated to protect children.
At a Vatican conference on AI’s risks and opportunities for children (March 20–22, 2025), Cardinal Peter Turkson of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences warned against leaving AI “entirely in the hands of industries.”
His message was clear: While AI presents exciting possibilities, it also carries profound dangers, particularly for the most vulnerable.
The risks AI poses to children
AI-driven technology has the power to enhance education and streamline learning, but it also exposes children to significant risks. Joachim Von Braun, president of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, pointed to alarming concerns: social media addiction, cognitive impairment, privacy violations, behavioral manipulation, and even sexual exploitation.
These are not abstract fears. Studies increasingly link excessive AI-driven social media use to mental health struggles in young people. AI algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, often push content that can distort self-image, encourage harmful behaviors, and foster dependency. Worse still, AI-powered tools are being exploited for grooming and trafficking, making online spaces more perilous for children.
The Vatican is not calling for a ban on AI but for responsible regulation. Von Braun emphasized the need for “international safeguards,” lamenting that the European Parliament has yet to pass a long-debated AI law. The Church’s stance is clear: technology must serve human dignity, not undermine it.
AI’s limits — and what makes us human
This debate touches on a fundamental question: What does it mean to be human in the age of AI? While AI can process data and recognize patterns, it does not think. True thinking — pondering beauty, seeking wisdom, and contemplating life’s deeper meanings — remains uniquely human.
The Vatican has consistently upheld this distinction, stressing that while AI can assist in decision-making, it lacks the depth of human reflection. AI’s intelligence is functional, but it does not possess freedom, creativity, or moral responsibility.
AI, like all technology, must be guided by ethical principles. As Pope Francis stated, “wisdom comes not from machines but from the Spirit.” This wisdom calls humanity to use AI for good — enhancing education, protecting the vulnerable, and fostering human flourishing.
A call for action
The Vatican has been a vocal advocate for the ethical use of AI. In 2020, it launched the Rome Call for AI Ethics, urging governments and companies to ensure AI respects human rights. Pope Francis personally addressed AI concerns at the 2024 G7 meeting, emphasizing the need for international cooperation. His World Day of Peace message in 2024 was on the theme of AI.
Now, with growing threats to children, the Vatican is renewing its appeal. It is calling on policymakers to establish laws that safeguard young minds from AI’s darker implications while harnessing its potential for good.
AI is here to stay, but its trajectory is not predetermined. It is up to humanity — guided by wisdom, ethics, and faith — to ensure it serves, rather than endangers, the most vulnerable among us.
