“AI can process information quickly, but it cannot replace human intelligence,” he said. “And don’t ask it to do your homework for you. It cannot offer real wisdom. It misses a very important human element.”
AI lacks a level of “right and wrong” judgement, according to the pope, and he urged young people to think deeply on how AI can support personal development—not replace effort or reflection.
“Safety is not only about rules, it’s about education and it’s about personal responsibility,” Pope Leo added. “Filters and guidelines can help you, but they cannot make choices for you. Only you can do that.”
“Using AI responsibly means using it in ways that help you grow—never in ways that distract you from your dignity or your call to holiness,” he said.
Relying too heavily on the technology could quietly chip away at the abilities young people need, the pope warned.
“Be prudent, be wise, be careful that your use of AI does not limit your true human growth. Use it in such a way that if it disappeared tomorrow, you would still know how to think, how to create, how to act on your own, how to form authentic friendships,” he added on Friday.
“Remember, AI cannot ever replace the unique gift that you are to the world.”
“No generation has ever had such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI,” Pope Leo said. “But again, access to data—however extensive—must not be confused with intelligence.”
