VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong warning over the growing influence of emotionally responsive artificial intelligence chatbots, urging governments worldwide to introduce strict regulations to prevent potential harm to users.
Speaking ahead of the Catholic Church’s World Day of Social Communications, the head of the Roman Catholic Church cautioned that advanced AI technologies could foster unhealthy emotional attachments and gradually distort genuine human relationships.
The Pope noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between real individuals, automated bots, and virtual influencers in the digital space.
He warned that AI systems designed to remain constantly available and emotionally engaging may subtly affect users’ emotional well-being.
According to Pope Leo XIV, such technologies risk intruding into individuals’ private lives and influencing emotions without adequate safeguards.
He emphasized that proper regulation is essential to prevent emotional dependency and to curb the spread of misleading or manipulative content.
His remarks come amid growing concern among experts over a phenomenon referred to as “AI psychosis,” as reports emerge of serious mental health issues among some users following prolonged interactions with AI chatbots.
The artificial intelligence industry has faced increased scrutiny in recent months, particularly after disclosures that a small number of users experienced mental health emergencies, including psychosis and suicidal thoughts, after extended chatbot usage.
The Pope further warned that excessive reliance on AI could weaken critical thinking and creativity, adding that unequal control over artificial intelligence technologies could deepen global inequality.
