Pope Leo XIV released a message titled "Protecting the Human Voice and Face" for the 60th World Day for Social Communications. He pointed out that by mimicking human voices, faces, intelligence, consciousness, empathy, and friendship, AI is not only interfering with the information ecosystem but is eroding the deepest levels of human relationships.
Pope Leo XIV Warns of AI Risks Eroding Human Voice, Face, and Thought in Papal Message
This article is a translation. Read the Japanese original
The Pope stated that the challenge is anthropological rather than technical. He emphasized that embracing the opportunities of digital technology and AI with courage and discernment is distinct from ignoring critical challenges, complexities, and risks.
He stated that SNS engagement maximization algorithms reward rapid emotional responses and punish efforts toward understanding and reflection, leading to a decline in critical thinking and listening skills and accelerating social polarization. He further warned that blindly relying on AI as an omniscient "friend" or "oracle" would further erode analytical and creative thinking capabilities.
Furthermore, he pointed out the danger that AI systems are increasingly dominating the production of text, music, and video, and that human creative industries are being dismantled and replaced under the label "Powered by AI," reducing people to passive consumers of anonymous products.
Source: Message from Pope Leo XIV on the 60th World Day of Social Communications（HN 45pt・9コメント） (HN Search (backfill), 2026-02-02)