Pope Leo warns of ‘overly affectionate’ AI chatbots

Source Domain: www.cnn.com

Pope Leo XIV has expressed concerns about the emotional and ethical impact of overly “affectionate” AI chatbots, urging caution against forming serious emotional bonds with these digital companions.
He calls for regulation to prevent the formation of attachment to artificial intelligence and to combat the spread of false, manipulative or misleading content.
The pope advocates for clear distinctions between AI-generated and human-created content to protect authorship and ownership rights, particularly for journalists.
Leo XIV addresses the ethical responsibility of media and communication companies to use algorithms in ways that do not compromise professional values or public interests.
He raises concerns over the dominance of a few tech companies controlling AI and algorithm systems that could subtly shape human behavior and history, without people’s full awareness.
The focus of the Catholic Church’s World Day of Social Communications is on protecting human dignity amidst technological advancements, with a call for international and governmental action to frame AI use ethically.
Pope Leo XIV has shown a keen engagement with digital technology, aiming for AI to become a focal point of his papacy alongside advocating for its ethical governance.
The incident involving the tragic suicide of a teenager after interacting with an AI chatbot underscores the urgent need for ethical regulation and public awareness regarding AI’s impact.

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