Pope urges Latin American safeguarding congress in Peru to ensure human dignity remains at the heart of technological advances. In opening speech Commission Secretary Ali Herrera says we must work together to establish ethical standards and protective measures. 

LIMA — In a special message to the IV Latin American Congress on “Artificial Intelligence and Safeguarding” underway in Lima, Peru, Pope Francis warned that AI has radically transformed the digital landscape, like a “tsunami,” raising concerns over responsibility and impunity. 

Both Pope Francis and Bishop Luis Manuel Ali Herrera, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, emphasized to participants the ethical responsibilities surrounding AI and its potential risks in the fight against abuse. 

Mons. Ali Herrera represented the Commission at the three-day conference and delivered a keynote address to the opening session.  

In his message, read to participants, the Pope stressed that the ability to generate artificially produced material does not absolve users from ethical and moral accountability. “The machine follows our orders; it executes, but it does not decide,” he added, calling for clear regulations to ensure AI’s ethical use. 

In his speech Mons. Ali Herrera echoed these concerns, highlighting AI’s dual nature: a tool for justice or a vehicle for harm. 

He emphasized the importance of international cooperation, stating that “the fight against digital threats cannot be waged in isolation; we must work together to establish ethical standards and protective measures.”  

“With predictive AI, we can produce medical diagnoses in record time but also commit heinous crimes.” – Mons. Ali Herrera

However, Mons. Ali Herrera also emphasized AI’s potential in safeguarding victims of abuse, citing KeepIt, an AI-driven tool that preserves testimonies for future legal action.  
 
In conclusion, Pope Francis called for stringent policies against AI-generated exploitative content.

“We must ensure that human dignity remains at the heart of technological advancements, this is not just a matter of innovation but of justice.” – Pope Francis

For more information about the IV Latin American Safeguarding Congress, visit the official website at congreso.cepromelat.com