When AI lies about Jews: A response to the pope’s encyclical – Israel & Jewish News

Source Domain: www.jns.org

Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical “Magnafica Humanitas” highlights the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on disinformation and “hybrid” conflicts, emphasizing how AI influences false narratives about Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The encyclical speaks to larger philosophical and civic concerns regarding the threats posed by AI disinformation but also focuses on the unique security issues faced by Jews due to historical instances of blood libels and conspiracy theories.
Research indicates AI models exhibit anti-Jewish and anti-Israel bias, including the generation of classic antisemitic tropes and distorted conflict narratives.
The encyclical argues that AI systems that manipulate public perception and normalize antisemitic narratives violate human dignity and constitute a modern form of idolatry.
The call for ethical AI governance should extend to addressing the specific harms towards Jews, including advocating for transparency in training data, independent audits for antisemitism, and consequences for failing to fulfill ethical standards.
While some Jewish and Israeli technologists are developing AI tools to detect and combat antisemitic content, there remains a pressing need to involve those most affected by AI disinformation in governance decisions.
There must be a concerted global effort to ensure AI does not perpetuate Jew-hatred, emphasizing the need to address the misuse of AI in amplifying antisemitism today.

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