Pope Francis will make history as the first pontiff to speak at a G7 venue in Puglia, Italy, raising awareness about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. His presence underscores the significance of addressing AI risks and promoting responsible technological advancement on a global scale.
Pope Francis will become the first pontiff to address a G7 venue, raising concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) at the Group of Seven summit in southern Italy on June 14, 2024. He aims to highlight the risks posed by AI technologies, emphasizing the need for ethical development and usage. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni invited Pope Francis to the summit to leverage his moral authority in underscoring these concerns.
The G7 summit, held in Puglia, Italy, covers various significant global topics, including migration, financial support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, climate change, and economic security related to China’s industrial policy. There are also discussions about AI governance, a pertinent issue given the advancements in generative AI technologies.
Notable participants include leaders from the G7 nations—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—along with invitees from India, Brazil, Turkey, Kenya, and other non-Western countries. The summit also focuses on migration issues, a priority for host nation Italy, which experiences significant pressures from migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
On the regulation front, the G7 has been proactive. Japan initiated the Hiroshima AI process to set global AI principles, and the European Union has the forthcoming AI Act. In the U.S., President Joe Biden has issued an executive order on AI safeguards, with various states pursuing their own regulations.
During the summit, Francis will hold bilateral meetings with several leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and U.S. President Joe Biden.
