Pope Rejects AI Threat as "Not Fake News," Directly Rebuffing Trump

▲ Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV has emphasized that concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) safety are not fake news and that serious discussions must be held on how to respond.

According to the Associated Press, speaking during a press conference aboard the papal plane on his return flight from a trip to France on the 28th (local time), the Pope was asked what the United States and China, in particular, should do to prevent the catastrophic threats that AI could pose to humanity.

"This is an issue we need to sit down and discuss seriously," Pope Leo XIV replied. "We cannot simply step back and pretend nothing is happening."

Regarding the issue of AI, the Pope stated, "If someone were to ask me if I am in a 'panic state' right now, I would say no, and I sleep very well at night." He added, "What I really want to say is that the concerns raised by many AI experts and intellectuals must be taken seriously."

He stressed, "I do not think this matter is fake news intended to gain some sort of advantage, whether financial or otherwise, as some people claim."

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly shown aversion to calls for slowing down AI development, dismissing concerns that AI could lead to the end of humanity as a "hoax."

In a recent post on Truth Social, President Trump reaffirmed his determination to win the competition against China without halting the pace of U.S. AI development, stating, "There is a disgusting conspiracy targeting AI and data centers, and the only country that would be happy about this is China."

Previously, the Pope had criticized the Trump administration's immigration crackdowns and opposed the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, engaging in war of words and locking horns with President Trump.

"Political leaders, AI leaders, social organizations, and associations must come together to continuously monitor what is already happening and what could happen," the Pope pointed out. "Simply closing our eyes and pretending such things will not happen is not a responsible attitude."

He noted that since issuing an encyclical last May containing a message that AI needs to be "disarmed" so that it cannot dominate humans, he has been receiving input from people who wish to participate in a broader dialogue on AI.

The Pope expressed hope, stating he is "relatively optimistic" that a solution can be found.

"Aside from power or the question of who secures the high ground, I believe there are enough people who genuinely care about this issue and want to examine it," he said.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)

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