H.Em. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, Holy See

Your Majesty, Queen Sylvia of Sweden,
Your Eminence, Card. Turkson,
Your Royal Highness, Princess Madelene,
Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Professor Joachim von Braun and Members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends

First, I would like to express my cordial greetings to all the participants in this Conference dedicated to the question of Artificial Intelligence and the risks and opportunities that it raises for children in particular. I welcome this meeting and would like to thank the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, its Chancelor, Cardinal Peter Turkson, and its President, Professor Joachim von Braun, for convening it and for gathering experts in child safeguarding from different backgrounds, as well as leaders from tech firms and other industries, members of civil society and of faith-based organisations, philanthropists, youth and indeed survivors of Artificial Intelligence abuse, to explore together this important and challenging issue.

In his address to the G7, last June, Pope Francis insisted that: “powerful technological progress […] makes artificial intelligence at the same time an exciting and fearsome tool, and demands a reflection that is up to the challenge it presents”[1]

Artificial Intelligence systems are extraordinarily fast in their growth and development, and are about to profoundly reshape our societies, and childhood in particular. In the midst of such transformations, it is our responsibility to make sure that this new technology is put to work for the good and safety of each person, especially the most vulnerable, while preserving human dignity and social relationships, As we are on the eve of a new era, it is worth recalling the Second Vatican Council's pastoral Constitution on the Church in the modern world, which qualifies the norm of human activity as follows: “that in accord with the divine plan and will, it harmonize with the genuine good of the human race, and that it allow men as individuals and as members of society to pursue their total vocation and fulfil it”[2]

Along those lines, the recent Note Antiqua et Nova, published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education, on the relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence, reiterates that “Artificial Intelligence, like any technology, can be part of a conscious and responsible answer to humanity's vocation to the good. However […], AI must be directed by human intelligence to align with this vocation, ensuring it respects the dignity of the human person”[3]

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to enhance children's safety, education, and well-being. At the same time, it may also introduce serious threats, including cyberbullying, privacy violations, Artificial Intelligence-driven addiction, and online exploitation. Preventing risks while seeking to harness the benefits of it is not an easy task. This is not only due to the complexity of the field, but because, as Pope Francis underlined in his message to the 2025 World Economic Forum, “artificial intelligence raises fundamental questions about ethical responsibility, human safety, and the broader implications of these developments for society". It requires, therefore, seeking appropriate responses according to specific contexts and to "the principle of subsidiarity, with individual users, families, civil society, corporations, institutions, governments, and international organizations working at their proper levels to ensure that Artificial Intelligence is directed to the good of all”[4]

It is critical that governments, tech companies, educators, civil society, and faith-based institutions work together to reflect upon ethical regulations and governance frameworks, as well as data transparency and child-centred policies. Not only is it essential to guarantee children's safety, privacy and respect for their dignity but also to preserve them from Artificial Intelligence driven harm. It is equally essential to ensure transparency, accountability and fairness in order to make Artificial Intelligence more beneficial for every child.

Artificial Intelligence’s rapid evolution demands urgent and collective action, as well as, global collaboration to ensure that this new technology serves, rather than endangers, the dignity and wellbeing of every child in the digital age.

I thank Your Majesty, President von Braun, the Academy and all of you, dear participants, for your contribution and wish you a fruitful meeting.

I thank you all for your kind attention.

[1] Pope Francis, Address at the G7 Session on Artificial Intelligence. Borgo Egnazia, Puglia, 14 June 2024.
[2] Gaudium et Spes, n. 35.
[3]Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and Dicastery for Culture and Education, Antiqua et Nova, Note on the Relationship between Artificial Intelligence and  Human Intelligence, 14 January 2025, n. 48.
[4] Pope Francis, Message to the World Economic Forum, 14 January 2025.