Carney, Pope Leo discuss responsible AI after pontiff warns world to slow progress
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Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke to Pope Leo about artificial intelligence and “the need for AI to work for humanity” – a conversation that came days after the Pope urged governments to slow down the development of AI systems.
In a briefing for reporters on Friday afternoon, Carney’s office said the prime minister, a devout Catholic, “accepts the Pope’s leadership in this area.”
“Prime Minister Carney expressed Canada’s desire to lead the world in reliable AI and tools for the benefit of the global community,” the reading said.
What’s different Press release from the Vatican said the two discussed “the importance of developing artificial intelligence from an ethical perspective and a human-centered approach,” as well as other topics such as promoting peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the Pope published his first letter, which is one of the highest teaching methods from the pope to the members of the Catholic Church. He warned AI systems could spread false information, fuel conflict and risk leading the world down a path of endless war.
In the first open letter from his reign, Pope Leo urged governments to slow down the development of AI systems, saying they prioritize conflict and risk leading the world down a path of endless war.
“What is needed is political involvement that can slow down the pace when everything is going fast,” said Leo in this article. Magnifica Humanitasor, The Marvelous Mankind.
The Pope used the biblical story of the Tower of Babel – when people were driven by pride to build a tower tall enough to reach Heaven and God was angry – and said that this story shows the danger of any company that “wishes to reach heaven without God’s blessing.”
“With the heart of a shepherd and a father, I ask everyone to stop building another Tower of Babel and participate in building the good for all,” he said.
The document also criticized the many wars around the world, lamented the weakness of alliances and warned that the profits of the arms industry were the cause of conflict.
“The past 60 years have been marked by conflicts of incredible brutality, often affecting civilians on a large scale,” Leo said in the English text.
Pope Leo XIV began his papacy with his coronation mass in Vatican City, drawing thousands of people including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who used the trip to meet with world leaders in preparation for next month’s G7 in Alberta.
“Humanity is entering a violent culture of governance, where peace is no longer seen as an obligation to be taken, but as a fragile interval between conflicts,” he said.
AI strategy coming next week: Carney
Wednesday, Carney announced The federal government’s much-anticipated national AI strategy, which has faced many delays over the past few months, will be released next week.
The strategy is expected to detail Ottawa’s plans for the rapidly developing technology. In the spring economic recovery, the federal government shared six pillars that will underpin the national strategy:
- Protecting Canadians and protecting our democracy.
- Empowering Canadians.
- It enables the adoption of AI for shared success.
- Building an independent Canadian AI foundation.
- Rating the Canadian champions.
- Building trusted partnerships and global alliances.
On the basis of global alliances, the economic review said “Canada will work with a variety of trusted partners to harmonize standards, co-invest in innovation and help Canadian companies access global markets – while shaping an AI ecosystem rooted in democratic values.”
Telus will build a new AI data center in BC, under the Enabling Large-Scale Sovereign AI Data Centers initiative, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon announced Monday. This project ‘shows the kind of desirable infrastructure we need as a country,’ Solomon said.
Some executives in Canada’s technology sector have expressed hope that the strategy will not only support the AI industry, but accelerate its growth so that Canada can become a leader in AI technology, talent and companies.
Meanwhile, other provinces are considering taking AI into their own hands, such as Manitoba, which announced Canada’s first social media and AI chatbot ban for those under 16. The federal government has said it is considering something similar.
