Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected leader of the Catholic Church, has made addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) a top priority. In his first formal meeting with cardinals, he emphasized that AI presents new challenges for defending human dignity, justice, and labor.
Echoes of Pope Francis
The pope’s concerns echo those of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who stated, "We must be aware of the risks associated with AI development without proper regulation or consideration for ethical implications."
Historical Context
Pope Leo XIV chose his papal name as a nod to Pope Leo XIII’s efforts to address social issues during the Industrial Revolution. In his encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891), Pope Leo XIII advocated for unionization and measures to alleviate poverty and promote fair treatment of workers.
Ongoing Social Concerns
The pope’s focus on social issues is not new. He has long been concerned about how technology is changing society and affecting people’s lives. During his time as archbishop in Buenos Aires before becoming pope in 2013, he was known for speaking out against income inequality and advocating for greater economic equality.
The Impact of AI on Employment
In recent years, there have been growing concerns about how AI could exacerbate existing social problems such as unemployment and income inequality if it is not developed responsibly. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that up to 85 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to automation by 2025.
- While some jobs may be created by automation, such as those related to maintenance or repair, these will likely require higher levels of education than many current workers possess.
- Experts warn that unregulated AI development could lead to significant job losses among low-skilled workers, who are already struggling financially due to stagnant wages and rising housing costs.
Expert Insights
Dr. Andrew Ng, former chief scientist at Google Brain and now head of Ai Fund, highlighted the risks of rapid automation:
"The risk exists because we’re seeing an acceleration towards automation at an unprecedented rate."
He also pointed out the potential impact of AI on human relationships:
"If we don’t design systems that allow humans to interact naturally, then they’ll become isolated from each other."
Dr. Ng suggested that governments should establish regulations similar to those imposed after the Industrial Revolution, allowing people to adapt gradually through education and training programs.
The Need for Global Cooperation
Dr. Ng emphasized the need for international cooperation, stating:
"This isn’t just something happening within one country; it’s happening globally."
Conclusion
While some may view papal warnings about AI skeptically, given the historical lag of religious institutions behind secular society in adopting new technologies, the potential consequences of widespread adoption of advanced machine learning algorithms without proper safeguards could place entire populations at risk of exploitation and harm.
As wise men have said for centuries, “Be careful what you wish for, lest you get exactly what you asked.” Therefore, prudent caution is warranted in the face of these challenges.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
23,000 #1 Connections, 40,000,000 US B2B Contacts and 300,000,000 B2b/B2C email contacts as well as 1,000,000+ monthly social media reach. https://marklamplugh.com
