“He will participate in the work on AI” –

Twists and turns in view of the next G7 Italian presidency which will be held in Borgo Egnazia, Puglia, from 13 to 15 June. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced in a video message that Pope Francis will participate in person in one of the most anticipated events. “We are committed to developing governance mechanisms to ensure that AI is human-centered and human-controlled, that is, it keeps the person at the center. It is a challenge that none of us can think of tackling alone and I I believe it is essential to enhance the best of the ethical and intellectual reflection that is developing in this area. I am thinking, for example, of the path started by the Holy See in 2020 with the Rome Call for AI Ethics, a path that leads to giving concrete application to the concept of AI. algorethics, or the ethical application of algorithms”, the Prime Minister said in a video.

I am honored to announce the participation of Pope Francis @Pontifex to the works of #G7Italy. It is the first time that a Pontiff participates in the work of the Group of Seven and this can only bring prestige to Italy and the entire @G7 pic.twitter.com/m6q7GcWcFb

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) April 26, 2024

The Italian presidency of the G7 “intends to enhance this path promoted by the Holy See, bringing it to the attention of the other leaders on the occasion of the summit in Puglia. For this reason I am honored to announce today the participation of Pope Francis in the work of the G7 precisely in the session dedicated to ‘AI’, is Meloni’s announcement. The presence of Pope Francis, said the prime minister, “gives prestige to our nation and to the entire G7. It is the first time in history that the pontiff participates in the work of the group of 7. The Holy Father will do so in the Outreach session, open also to invited countries and not only to members of the G7. I am convinced that the presence of His Holiness will make a decisive contribution to the definition of a regulatory, ethical and cultural framework for AI because it will be measured on the present and future of this technology once again the ability of the international community to do what Pope John Paul II recalled in his famous speech to the United Nations on 2 October 1979, that is, that political, national and international activity comes from man, is exercised through ‘man and it is for man’.

AI is, for Meloni, “what many, and not wrongly, believe to be the greatest anthropological challenge of this era, which can generate great opportunities, but which also brings with it some risks, as well as affecting the balance global. I sincerely thank the Holy Father for accepting Italy’s invitation”.

The G7, the prime minister also said, “will confirm its support for Ukraine and will continue to work for a just and lasting peace. We will deal with the conflict in the Middle East, working to avoid an escalation and restore peace, stability and security throughout the region”. Furthermore, “we will face the great challenges of our time, from the climate-energy nexus to food security. Together we will lay the foundations to build a new relationship, as equals and to mutual benefit, with developing nations and economies emerging, and in particular with the African continent. And we will focus our attention on migration issues, with the aim of fighting human trafficking networks and laying the foundations for the right not to have to emigrate”.