Pope Leo Rejects AI Clone Over Concerns for Human Identity

Pope Leo has turned down a request to develop an artificial intelligence version of himself, cautioning that such advancements could pose a serious threat to human identity.
In an interview with journalist and author Elise Allen for a biography, Leo shared that someone had asked for his approval to create a digital “artificial pope” to allow people to interact with him virtually.

“This artificial intelligence pope would give them answers to their questions, and I said, ‘I’m not going to authorise that,’” Leo said.
“If there’s anybody who should not be represented by an avatar, I would say the pope is high on the list.”

Since his election in May, Leo has repeatedly voiced concern about the effects of artificial intelligence, especially on children and young people. During his first phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on May 15, he spoke about collaborating with the Italian government to promote AI that is ethical and beneficial to society.
Leo also expressed worries about how AI could affect employment and self-worth.

“Human dignity has a very important relationship with the work that we do,” he said.
“If we automate the whole world and only a few people have the means … there’s a big problem, a huge problem coming down the line.”