Vatican City Leads the Way in Ethical Artificial Intelligence Regulation

Person standing in front of AI Computer

The Vatican's groundbreaking AI guidelines blend ethics, faith, and technology to protect human dignity and justice.

The Vatican City State has taken a historic step in addressing the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) by enacting its first decree on AI usage, titled Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence. Effective January 1, 2025, this groundbreaking initiative reflects the Catholic Church’s commitment to ensuring that technological advancements align with moral and ethical principles.

The decree, issued by the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State, establishes strict prohibitions and guidelines for AI use within Vatican institutions. This move underscores the Vatican’s proactive approach to safeguarding human dignity and promoting justice in a rapidly evolving digital age.

Banned Practices

The Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence explicitly prohibit AI systems that could compromise Vatican security, create social inequalities, or violate human dignity. Among the banned applications are those that “exclude persons with disabilities from accessing its features” or use AI to draw “anthropological inferences with discriminatory effects on individuals.” The decree also forbids “subliminal manipulation techniques” that could cause physical or psychological harm, according to the official document.

The guidelines ensure that AI use must never conflict with the mission of the pope, the Catholic Church’s integrity, or the activities of Vatican institutions.

Oversight Through a Commission

To oversee compliance, the Vatican has established a five-member “Commission on Artificial Intelligence,” composed of experts from legal, IT, and security fields. This commission is tasked with monitoring AI activities, drafting implementation laws, and issuing biannual reports. It will also evaluate experimental AI proposals to ensure adherence to the decree’s ethical framework.

Inspiration and Principles

The Vatican’s AI guidelines draw inspiration from the European Union’s AI Regulation, which emphasizes a risk-based approach to AI applications. The Vatican has reinforced this framework with principles rooted in Catholic teaching, including transparency, inclusion, and care for the environment.

AI-generated content within Vatican institutions must be labeled as “IA” (intelligenza artificiale), clearly distinguishing it from human creativity. The Vatican retains copyright over such works, ensuring accountability and transparency.

The decree stresses that AI must “not limit the decision-making power of the subjects responsible for the organization, functioning, and coordination of the personnel of the governorate of the Vatican City State.”

Specific Applications

The guidelines provide tailored principles for sectors such as healthcare, cultural heritage, judiciary, and administration. In Vatican courts, for instance, AI may only assist with research. Human judges, however, retain the sole authority to interpret the law, ensuring that justice remains a human-driven process.

Pope Francis’ Call for Ethical AI

Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for ethical AI governance, emphasizing the importance of regulating AI to promote justice and transparency. His vision, articulated in the Vatican’s Rome Call for AI Ethics, highlights the need for accountability and social justice in the use of artificial intelligence.

The pope has called for international cooperation on these issues, even urging the G7 summit to ban autonomous weapons. Despite the prohibitions, the Vatican acknowledges the potential benefits of technology, stating, “Science and technology are a product of human creativity understood as a gift from God and have remedied countless evils that afflicted and limited human beings.”

Looking Ahead

As technology continues to advance, the Vatican’s Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence offer a model for integrating ethical considerations into the governance of AI. Additional laws implementing these regulations are expected by the end of 2025, ensuring that the Church remains at the forefront of shaping a technology-driven world in a way that aligns with Catholic values.

By taking this bold step, the Vatican demonstrates how faith and reason can work together to promote the common good, setting a powerful example for governments and organizations worldwide.

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