Pope Francis’ chosen theme invites us to reflect on the relationship between artificial intelligence and communication. Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving technology that is having an increasing impact on our society, including on the way we communicate.

The Pope calls for artificial intelligence to be used to promote fully human communication that is based on love, dialogue and compassion. Artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for good, but it is important that it is used responsibly and ethically.

The theme of the 58th World Communications Day is an invitation to reflect on how we can use artificial intelligence to build a more just and fraternal world.

Artificial intelligence and wisdom of the heart: for a fully human communication

The evolution of artificial intelligence systems makes it ever more natural to communicate through and with machines, so that it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish computation from thought, and the language produced by a machine from that generated by human beings. Like all revolutions, this one based on artificial intelligence, too, poses new challenges to ensure that machines do not contribute to a large-scale system of disinformation and do not also increase the loneliness of those who are already alone, depriving us of the warmth that only communication between people can provide. It is important to guide artificial intelligence and algorithms, so that there is in each individual a responsible awareness of the use and development of these different forms of communication that go hand in hand with social media and the Internet. It is necessary for communication to be oriented towards a fuller life of the human person.

[Original text: Italian]