The Vatican, Global Leaders Grapple With AI's Moral Stakes

The Vatican put AI’s moral stakes at the center of discussions as Pope Leo hosted the inaugural Borgo Dialogues in Rome. The event gathered global leaders from corporations, international bodies, and other sectors to address AI alongside health and sustainability. Through his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo emphasized prioritizing humanity and truth over efficiency, called for government regulation of powerful tech firms, and stressed shared responsibility for technology’s impacts. Over three days, attendees—including corporate leaders, scholars, and civic and sports figures—met at Borgo Laudato Si’, with sessions described as aiming for real decisions rather than public commitments. Pope Leo later received the group privately and framed the initiative as a first step toward renewing moral leadership. He warned against “the temptation” to build a “Tower of Babel,” tied to profit idolatry, and noted that attention to his stance is extending beyond Vatican circles as AI governance debates intensify.