Friar Paolo Benanti, the Vatican’s expert on AI, called the technology “absolutely positive” as the result of human intelligence, but warned over ethical implications without proper governance.
Friar Paolo Benanti, a monk of the Franciscan order, is the Vatican’s artificial intelligence (AI) expert and has called the technology “absolutely positive” as a product of human intelligence and ability, but it is not without ethical concerns.
According to a report from the AP on Jan. 18, the monk said that although he is a big believer in AI, he simultaneously believes government regulations based on “ethical considerations” should go hand-in-hand with the development of the technology.
Benanti has a background in engineering with a doctorate in moral theology. He says his passion is on the “ethics of technology,’' and is an advisor to the Pope on the topic, who released a 3,400-word letter on Dec. 15 warning of the dangers of the technology.
