Pope Leo XIV Warns Against 'Affectionate' AI, Calls for Global Regulation

Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong warning regarding overly "affectionate" AI chatbots, advocating for regulation to prevent individuals from forming significant emotional attachments to these AI companions. The US-born pontiff conveyed this message in advance of the Catholic Church’s annual World Day of Social Communications.

Concerns Over Emotional Attachments

The Pope stated that artificial intelligence poses a risk to human creativity and decision-making. He noted the increasing difficulty in distinguishing interactions with humans, bots, or virtual influencers in information feeds.

Pope Leo indicated that chatbots designed to be excessively "affectionate," always present, and available could influence emotional states and impact individuals' intimate spheres.

A Digital Pope's Ethical Call

Pope Leo XIV has a noted engagement with the digital world, having had an X account as a bishop and cardinal, and using a smartwatch as pope. Following his election, he expressed a desire to focus his papacy on AI and has called for an ethical framework for the technology.

Tragedy Spurs Urgent Action

In late 2025, Pope Leo met Megan Garcia, whose 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer, died by suicide after interacting with an AI chatbot. The pontiff's latest message urged national governments and international bodies to address this area.

Safeguarding Information and Authorship

He advocated for appropriate regulation to safeguard people from emotional attachment to chatbots and to manage the spread of false, manipulative, or misleading content, thereby preserving information integrity.

Pope Leo also called for clear distinctions between AI-generated and human-created content, including that from journalists. He emphasized the protection of authorship and ownership for journalists and content creators.

"Information is a public good."

Addressing Media Practices and Power Concentration

Furthermore, the Pope advised media and communication companies against using algorithms solely "for a few more seconds of attention" if it compromises their professional values.

He expressed concerns about the limited number of companies developing AI, specifically mentioning the founders designated "Person of the Year 2025" by Time magazine.

Pope Leo stated that a small group controlling algorithmic and AI systems capable of shaping behavior and revising human history, including church history, without full public awareness, "raises concerns."

World Day of Social Communications

The Church’s World Day of Social Communications, scheduled for May 17, 2026, will focus on protecting human dignity amidst technological innovation.