In a speech to the 2024 Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero highlighted the Vatican’s deep-seated ethical concerns. Building on Pope Francis’ message for World Peace Day, the archbishop highlighted the moral dilemmas surrounding the development of autonomous weapons and the weaponization of artificial intelligence.
Urgent call for ethical reflection and human oversight
Amid growing concerns over the deployment of armed drones and autonomous weapons, Archbishop Balestrero stressed the need for global ethical introspection. He warned against the dehumanization of war, stressing that detaching oneself from human consequences raises serious ethical questions. He further highlighted the lack of moral responsibility in autonomous weapon systems, advocating for much-needed human control over their operation. “Autonomous weapon systems cannot be considered morally responsible subjects,” he remarked, emphasizing the fundamental need for human judgment in war decisions.
Challenges of integrating AI into ethical warfare
The archbishop highlighted the inherent limitations of machines in understanding or adhering to essential ethical standards in armed conflict. “Machines, being objects and not subjects, cannot truly think, feel, decide or be held responsible for their actions,” he explained. This statement reflects broader concerns within the international community regarding the role of artificial intelligence in warfare, as discussed in the Georgetown Security Studies Reviewwhich highlights the inability of current legal frameworks to address the ethical implications of autonomous and AI-driven warfare.
Advocating for a culture of peace and the ban on autonomous weapons
In conclusion, Archbishop Balestrero reiterated the Holy See’s commitment to the abolition of war and the urgent need to regulate autonomous weapons systems, aimed at safeguarding human dignity. He called for a cultural shift towards peace, where technological advancements serve humanity and contribute to the common good. “The real solution lies in converting to a culture of peace that places technological progress at the service of humanity,” he concluded, pleading for a world where peace and human development take precedence over technological war.
