Onboard Press Conference
The Pontiff spoke during a press conference on Monday. He was aboard a plane returning to Rome. The flight departed from Metz, France, on September 28, 2026. Reporters asked about measures for the United States and China. They inquired about preventing catastrophic risks from AI. Leo is the first American pope in history. He has warned about this technology for sixteen months.
Criticism of Tech Leaders
The Pope directly criticized certain technology CEOs. These executives argued against limits on AI development. They opposed the implementation of safety guardrails. Leo insisted that expert concerns must be taken seriously. He rejected the idea that these worries are baseless rumors. Some commentators had previously dismissed such fears as unfounded.
Skepticism Toward Nvidia
The Pope mentioned reading news about Nvidia’s CEO. Jensen Huang announced potential control mechanisms for AI models. However, Leo expressed significant skepticism about these claims. He noted that Huang previously argued against government regulation. Huang told CBS News this month that AI safety fears are exaggerated. US President Donald Trump also called these concerns a „scam.” Vatican’s Broader Initiative These remarks fit the Vatican’s recent efforts. The Holy See is pushing for international AI governance. This includes focus on nuclear technology and art. Leo has identified AI as a major human challenge. He launched a personal encyclical on AI protection. This event occurred in May at the Vatican. Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, participated in the launch.
Call for Global Dialogue
The initiative aims to engage Silicon Valley leaders. It addresses the human costs of new technology. The Pope called for political and corporate leaders to meet. He wants them to examine current and future developments. He urged the world to promote dialogue and research. The goal is to prevent AI from destroying humanity.
Urgency in a Complex World
Leo stated that many people are seriously interested in this topic. He emphasized the need for active work. We cannot stand still and claim nothing is happening. These comments arrive in a complex geopolitical context. Events include Iranian foreign minister Araghchi meeting Qatari mediators. The US is requesting nuclear negotiations. Hungarian Prime Minister Magyar and two ministers lost immunity. Fighter jets escorted the Pope’s plane in France. Russian bombs struck the Kyiv Academy of Sciences. These events highlight the urgency of the moment. Technology and politics intersect decisively for civilization’s fate.