By Ariana Pernía Paolini 

A statement calling on everyone to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and to place it at the service of humanity and the common good was issued following the Plenary Assembly of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), held in Brussels from 12 to 16 October.

In their statement, the European bishops stressed that technological progress must be "guided by a renewed commitment to the dignity of every person, justice and fraternity", at a time when digitalisation is transforming society and raising "profound anthropological, ethical, social and legal questions that cannot be addressed by technological or economic considerations alone".

The Assembly was held under the theme Magnifica humanitas: Europe, Human Dignity and the Common Good, while its final statement was entitled Europe’s Responsibility in the Time of Artificial Intelligence: A Call to Safeguard the Human Person.

At the heart of the gathering was Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Magnifica humanitas, which addresses the need to protect human dignity and promote justice in the face of technological advances.

In this context, the Holy Father stresses in Magnifica humanitas that, for AI to respect human dignity and truly serve the common good, responsibilities must be clearly defined at every stage, from those who design and programme systems to those who use them and decide to entrust them with concrete decisions.

Echoing this reflection, the bishops of COMECE stated:

"Listening to the concerns and fears expressed by many we, the bishops representing the EU Episcopates, acknowledge the efforts already made to regulate the use of AI and encourage the European Union to assume leadership in this area in accordance with its founding values and mission."

They also stressed that Europe is called to "act with urgency, ambition and responsibility to strengthen its digital capacities and to shape the research, design and development of these technologies, promoting a genuinely human-centred vision".

In Magnifica humanitas, Pope Leo XIV recalls that "at the heart of the Christian understanding of the human person lies the great biblical affirmation that men and women are created in the image and likeness (cf. Gen 1:26-27) of the Triune God".

The Pope also emphasises that every person is created for relationships and called to communion with God, with others and with creation.

In response to this vision, the European bishops affirmed that "The Catholic Church will continue to accompany the European Union in a path that safeguards the human person in the time of Artificial Intelligence".

They also strongly encouraged the European Union and its Member States to implement and promote the following principles.

- "Human dignity and human agency must remain paramount."

- "The common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, care for creation and justice must guide technological innovation."

- "Responsibility, transparency and accountability must accompany AI."

- "AI must not become a source of discrimination, exclusion or manipulation."

- "AI must not diminish or displace the uniqueness of the human person, and human beings must not be reduced to data or commodities."

- "The digital and technological commons require responsible governance."

- "Democracy and the rule of law must be protected."

- "AI must contribute to peace and human fraternity."

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