(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 01.17.2024).- Vatican has stepped forward with a decisive framework for managing the use of AI within its own borders. Effective January 1, 2025, the Vatican’s first specific decree on AI has set a new benchmark for integrating technology with moral responsibility.
The «AI Guidelines»: A Bold New Framework
The decree, titled “Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence,” was promulgated by the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State and outlines stringent measures to regulate AI applications. Covering 13 comprehensive pages, it not only prohibits discriminatory practices but also safeguards the dignity of individuals while aligning technological advancements with the Vatican’s spiritual mission.
The decree’s scope is limited to the Vatican City State and its dependencies, including institutions governed under the Lateran Treaty, such as papal basilicas and Castel Gandolfo. This distinction highlights its focus on state administration while allowing room for broader doctrinal discussions at the global Church level.
Key Prohibitions and Ethical Mandates
The regulations go beyond basic governance, addressing critical risks posed by AI:
– Discrimination and Exclusion: The use of AI systems that exclude individuals with disabilities or exacerbate social inequalities is strictly forbidden.
– Anthropological Risks: Systems that draw discriminatory inferences about individuals or compromise human dignity are banned.
– Subliminal Manipulation: Technologies employing manipulative tactics that result in physical or psychological harm are outlawed.
– Mission Integrity: Any AI application conflicting with the Pope’s mission or the Church’s institutional integrity is prohibited.
A Commission to Oversee AI Ethics
To ensure these guidelines are upheld, the Vatican has established a five-member “AI Commission” comprising legal, IT, and security experts. This body is tasked with:
– Monitoring AI compliance across Vatican institutions.
– Drafting implementing laws to refine the decree’s principles.
– Reviewing AI experimentation proposals to align them with ethical standards.
– Issuing semi-annual reports on AI practices within the Vatican’s jurisdiction.
The commission’s structure ensures a rigorous, multidisciplinary approach to governance, echoing the ethical considerations advocated in the Vatican’s prior “Rome Call for AI Ethics.”
Transparency and Accountability at the Core
The decree underscores the importance of transparency in AI. Systems deployed within the Vatican must clearly label AI-generated content, distinguishing machine outputs from human creativity. Furthermore, copyright over AI-generated works will remain with the Vatican, safeguarding intellectual property and ethical boundaries.
It also mandates that decision-making authority in Vatican institutions must remain with human administrators, preserving accountability and preventing over-reliance on automated systems.
Sector-Specific Regulations
The decree tailors its provisions to sectors crucial to Vatican operations:
– Healthcare: AI systems must prioritize patient safety and equitable access to services.
– Cultural Heritage: Technologies preserving art and historical artifacts must align with ethical stewardship.
– Judiciary: AI is limited to research functions in Vatican courts, leaving legal interpretation solely to human judges.
Papal Advocacy for Ethical AI
Pope Francis has long been a proponent of ethical technology. His calls for international treaties to regulate AI and his advocacy for banning autonomous weapons reflect a consistent commitment to prioritizing humanity over technological expediency.
Informed by the 2020 “Rome Call for AI Ethics,” the Vatican’s decree aligns with global best practices, such as the European Union’s AI regulations. Yet it also infuses these guidelines with a unique moral perspective, recognizing technology as both a divine gift and a human responsibility.
The decree is just the beginning of a broader regulatory journey. By the end of 2025, additional legislation is expected to refine and expand the Vatican’s AI governance framework.
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