Pope Leo: Ensure the Good of the Human Family is Not Sacrificed to Private Interests

Vatican, August 29, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has called for the protection of the common good as artificial intelligence and other digital technologies increasingly shape human life and society.

“We must ensure that the good of the human family is not sacrificed to private interests.”

The Pope made the appeal on Friday at the Vatican while addressing members of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), of which the Holy See is also a member.

Founded in 1930 in the aftermath of the Great Depression, the Institute works to assist public authorities in adapting governance to the changing needs of society.

Maintaining a proper balance in digital technology

Referring to the theme of this year’s Conference, which called for a proper balance in the use of digital technologies in the digital age, Pope Leo linked the appeal to the concerns he raised in his Encyclical Magnifica humanitas on safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.

He noted that artificial intelligence and digital technologies have become a reality that cannot be ignored, given their close impact on people's way of life and their presence across every level of social life.

‘Could humanity become victim of its own inventions?’

“The speed at which innovations in AI, in artificial intelligence,” he stressed, “are developing prompts us to ask whether, in the future, we will be able to control these machines, and whether humanity runs the risk of becoming victim of its own inventions.”

Pope Leo highlighted what he described as a serious concern arising from the growing role of technology in decisions affecting human beings.

"One of the serious problems today," the Pope specifically warned, "is the fact that decisions concerning human life are being entrusted to machines."

Against this backdrop, he praised the efforts of the gathering to reaffirm “the irreplaceable nature of human intelligence in the face of these technological tools.”

He also urged the members to assist public authorities in making decisions concerning these technologies “for the good of humanity.”

Ethical framework needed for emerging technologies

Pope Leo called for an ethical framework to accompany the use of these increasingly important technological tools. He noted that such technologies are unfortunately becoming concentrated in the hands of major economic and technological actors, while States face difficulties in exercising control over them.

“I encourage you,” he said, “to continue your research in order to find the ways and means of contributing to public administration in the humanization of digital technologies, so that they may serve life and peace.”

Acknowledging the difficulty of their mission and the possibility that discouragement could at times overwhelm them, Pope Leo assured the members that he was praying that God would sustain them.

He encouraged them to continue pursuing this task with determination.

Courtesy: Vatican News