Pope Francis cautioned world leaders at Davos about the potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence on the future of humanity, highlighting concerns about an escalating “crisis of truth.”

He stressed the need for governments and businesses to exercise caution and vigilance in navigating the complexities of AI.

In his written address to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, the Pope pointed out that AI poses a “growing crisis of truth in public life” due to its ability to generate outputs that closely resemble human output, which could lead to ethical dilemmas and questions about societal impacts.

The Pope highlighted that AI has the capacity to learn autonomously, adapt to new circumstances, and provide unforeseen answers, raising crucial ethical and safety concerns that demand human responsibility. Cardinal Peter Turkson, a Vatican official, echoed this sentiment in a statement delivered to Davos delegates.

Having personally encountered AI’s ability to manipulate truth, the Pope has become a subject of AI-generated deepfake images, such as embracing singer Madonna and donning a Balenciaga puffer jacket.

The Pope emphasized that unlike many other human inventions, AI is trained based on human creativity results, often producing artifacts with skill and speed that rival or surpass human capabilities, posing significant concerns about AI’s impact on humanity’s place in the world.

AI dominated discussions at the Davos conference this year, with tech companies showcasing their products along the ski resort’s promenade.

Expectations are high among some participants for AI’s potential. Salesforce chief Marc Benioff predicted that future CEOs will manage both human and digital workers, underscoring the transformative nature of AI in the workplace.

Ruth Porat, Alphabet’s chief investment officer, lauded the potential of AI in improving healthcare outcomes and potentially saving lives.

She highlighted Google’s AlphaFold AI program’s success in predicting the structures of all 200 million proteins on Earth and releasing the results to scientists, a move expected to enhance drug discovery processes.

Last year, Demis Hassabis, co-founder of DeepMind, an AI startup acquired by Google, received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work using AI.

Mr. Porat, a staunch AI advocate, shared his personal experience of battling cancer and emphasized the transformative potential of AI in democratizing healthcare through early detection and access to quality care for all individuals.