'Balenciaga Pope' goes political: Pope Francis advocates for AI ethics at G7 Summit

Pope Francis on AI: "Images that appear perfectly plausible but false—I too have been an object of this."

Pope Francis is slated to make a historic appearance at the G7 summit in Italy this Friday, marking the first time a Pope will participate in the high-level discussions. 

The Vatican has confirmed that his presence aims to address the ethical complexities and societal impacts of artificial intelligence. 

This follows his personal brush with AI, where deepfake images depicting him in trendy attire, infamously known as the 'Balenciaga Pope,' mislead millions globally.

During his address in Vatican City earlier this year, Pope Francis highlighted the deceptive nature of such technology, stating, "images that appear perfectly plausible but false (I too have been an object of this).” 

His advocacy for AI regulation has been a consistent theme, with the Vatican championing the “Rome Call for AI Ethics” since 2020, promoting principles like transparency and impartiality.

The G7 summit will also focus on the development of AI, with Italy advocating for the creation of homegrown AI systems in African countries and the continuation of the Hiroshima Process, aimed at safeguarding generative AI's usage. 

High-profile discussions are expected with global leaders including President Joe Biden, President Samoei Ruto of Kenya, and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As the world grapples with the rapid evolution of AI, the Pope’s intervention at the G7 could be a pivotal moment in shaping the global approach to these emerging technologies.