Hiroshima: World faith leaders commit to Rome Call on AI

AI Ethics for Peace conference participants, Hiroshima. Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

Leaders of the major world religions have been gathered in Hiroshima this week to reaffirm their commitment to making sure that artificial intelligence (AI) is developed ethically and responsibly for peace.

Titled 'AI Ethics for Peace: World Religions commit to the Rome Call', the two-day forum was co-organized by the Pontifical Academy of Life (PAV), Religions for Peace Japan, the United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel's Commission for Interfaith Relations.

The highlight of the multi-faith event, which began on Tuesday, will be the signing of the 'Rome Call for AI Ethics', issued in 2020 by the Pontifical Academy for Life and furthered by the RenAIssance Foundation, emphasizing the vital importance of guiding the development of artificial intelligence with ethical principles to ensure it serves the good of humanity.

The document, co-signed in Rome by Microsoft, IBM, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Italian Government, aims to foster an ethical approach to artificial intelligence and to promote a sense of responsibility among organizations, governments, information technology (IT) companies, and institutions, in order to shape a future in which digital innovation and technological progress serve human genius and creativity while safeguarding the human dignity of every individual and the planet.

Following the signing of the 'Rome Call' by leaders of the three Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) in 2023, in the name of peaceful coexistence and shared values, the event aims to reinforce the idea that a multi-religious approach to vital questions such as AI ethics is the path to follow.

In a press release, the organizers said the choice of the venue held a particular significance, as Hiroshima stands as a powerful testament to the consequences of destructive technology and the enduring quest for peace.

In his opening remarks at the session, on Tuesday, the president of the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life, Bishop Vincenzo Paglia, reiterated the crucial role religions are called to play to ensure that the development of artificial intelligence, "a great tool with unlimited possibilities of application" he said, proceeds hand in hand with protecting the dignity of every human being and preserving our common home. "This is our common responsibility, and in this shared effort we can rediscover real fraternity."

Bishop Paglia's words were echoed by the leaders of the other organizing partners. "Cooperation, solidarity, and joint work are necessary to deal with the developments of Artificial Intelligence," said Sheikh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, President of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace. "In doing so, we can pave the way for a future in which AI is a force for good - a future in which the fruits of technology are harnessed to build a more tolerant, peaceful and virtuous world," he said.

Rev Yoshiharu Tomatsu, Chairperson of Religions for Peace Japan reiterated his organization's commitment to ensure that AI promotes "inclusivity and mutual respect for everyone."

Rabbi Eliezer Simha Weisz, Member of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel's Commission for Interfaith Relations, insisted that as people of faith, religious leaders "carry a unique responsibility to infuse our pursuit of AI with moral clarity and ethical integrity."

He highlighted the need to use AI "not merely as a tool for progress, but as a conduit for deepening our connection to the divine and fortifying our spiritual journey. "AI strengthens our faith in God, providing avenues for exploring the intricacies of creation and the mysteries of existence," he said.

Other speakers on Tuesday included Father Paolo Benanti, Professor of Ethics of Technology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, who presented the Hiroshima Addendum on Generative AI. The document focuses on the need for ethical governance of generative AI - an ongoing process that requires a sustained commitment from all stakeholders so that its potential is used for the good of humanity.

Also speaking on Tuesday were high representatives of IT companies such as Microsoft, IMB Cisco, as well as UN and FAO officials.

In a message Pope Francis pointed out that discussing peace and artificial intelligence in the city that still suffers the consequences of the atomic bomb that almost destroyed it completely in August 1945, was "of great symbolic importance".

The Pope recalled his most recent appeal on this matter to the political leaders of the G7 as they gathered in Puglia, Italy. During that meeting Pope Francis emphasised the importance of keeping decision-making in human hands rather than relying on machines, explaining that "the machine makes a technical choice among several possibilities based either on well-defined criteria or on statistical inferences. Human beings, however, not only choose but in their hearts are capable of deciding."

He said true decisions require human wisdom and evaluation and an over-reliance on artificial intelligence could undermine human dignity. This is precisely what we saw in Hiroshima and continue to see today, and "among the current conflicts impacting our world - including the hatred of war - we hear more and more about this technology", he added.

It is crucial, the Pope said, that, "united as brothers and sisters, we remind the world that in light of the tragedy that is armed conflict, it is urgent to reconsider the development and use of devices like the so-called 'lethal autonomous weapons' and ultimately ban their use."... "No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being."

Pope Francis asks that as we look at the complexity of the issues before us, "we recognise the contribution of the cultural riches of peoples and religions in the regulation of artificial intelligence." This, he emphasised, "is key to the success of your commitment to the wise management of technological innovation."

Finally, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the gathering might "bear fruit in bringing about fraternity and cooperation", before praying that "each of us may become instruments of peace for the world."

The gathering is concluding today, 10 July with the signing of the Rome Appeal. After the testimony of an atomic bomb survivor, participants planned to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, as well as the Cenotaph of the atomic bomb victims for a flower laying ceremony.

LINK

Rome Call for AI Ethics: www.romecall.org/