The Vatican's views have influenced business decisions, with Microsoft choosing not to release a technology that could replicate anyone's voice after a few seconds. However, not all companies agree with the Rome principles, and some have continued to develop AI-manipulated audio. The Vatican has also expressed concern about the misuse of open-source AI and potentially unethical uses, such as facial recognition systems used in crackdowns on protesters.
Key takeaways:
- Pope Francis has become an influential voice in the debate over the global governance of artificial intelligence (AI), urging for the technology to be used ethically and warning against its potential to diminish human dignity and cement the dominance of western culture.
- The Vatican has positioned itself as a moral authority in the AI debate, with the Rome Call for AI Ethics, a document it co-signed with Microsoft and IBM in 2020, emerging as a gold standard of best AI practices.
- Microsoft President Brad Smith has stated that the Rome Call has influenced the company's approach to AI development, including its decision not to release a technology that could replicate anyone's voice with just a few seconds of audio.
- The Vatican's leading AI expert, Rev. Paolo Benanti, has become a major player in the crafting of national AI policy for Italy and has secured a spot on the United Nations’ Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence.