Pope Leo Says AI Doomsday Warnings Deserve Serious Attention

Pope Leo said on Monday that warnings from experts about the potential for artificial intelligence to cause catastrophic harm should not be dismissed, remarks that appeared to push back against US President Donald Trump's recent characterization of such fears.

Speaking to reporters aboard the papal flight returning to Rome after a four-day visit to France, the pontiff said the concerns voiced by AI specialists warranted serious consideration. He rejected the suggestion that such warnings amount to "fake news," a phrase that echoed Trump's address to the UN General Assembly last week, where the US president described fears about AI's dangers to humanity as a "hoax."

Leo, the first American pope, has repeatedly flagged the risks posed by AI over the course of his 16-month papacy. On Monday he also took aim at technology executives who argue that the technology should develop without regulatory limits.

The pope noted he had read that morning that the head of chipmaker Nvidia had said guardrails could potentially be built into certain AI models. But he voiced doubt about the sincerity of that position, observing that the same executive has argued against placing limits on the technology or subjecting it to government regulation.

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said in an interview with CBS News this month that he shared Trump's view that safety concerns surrounding AI have been exaggerated.

Leo's comments add his voice to a widening debate over how — or whether — to regulate rapidly advancing AI systems, with industry leaders, governments and now religious authorities weighing in on the balance between innovation and safeguards.