Update: Vatican Establishes AI Study Group to Protect Human Rights

Update to the material from May 16. The Vatican's intentions to influence the global technology market have moved into the practical realm. AP News confirmed that, ahead of the release of his encyclical, Pope Leo XIV officially formed an artificial intelligence study group.

The Holy See is not just philosophizing but systematically analyzing the risks. The Vatican's own materials strongly emphasize the unacceptability of using autonomous algorithms in the military sphere (autonomous killer drones) and highlight risks to civil society (unemployment, social scoring). The creation of a dedicated committee is an attempt by the Catholic Church to institutionalize its presence in the AI Governance debates. The Vatican is effectively forming its own "Ethics Committee" to have a voice alongside the EU Commission and US authorities when discussing neural network safety standards.

Source: AP News / Vatican