In Rome, Friar Paolo Benanti, a member of the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life and the United Nations' Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, is on a mission to govern artificial intelligence in a way that enriches people's lives without exploiting them. With his background in engineering, a doctorate in moral theology, and a passion for the "ethics of technology," the 50-year-old Italian priest is working closely with Pope Francis and top engineers and executives from Silicon Valley.

Benanti believes that the question of what distinguishes a human from a machine is one of the most significant challenges of our time. He argues that as AI technology becomes more human-like, it raises profound ethical questions. Benanti teaches courses on moral theology and bioethics at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he helps students preparing for the priesthood understand the ethical implications of technology.

Benanti's expertise has made him a valuable consultant for the Vatican. He has helped clarify technical terms for Pope Francis and played a crucial role in a meeting between the Pope and Microsoft President Brad Smith in 2023. The meeting focused on how AI could either help or harm humanity. Pope Francis has expressed concerns about AI limiting human rights and negatively impacting marginalized groups. He believes that if AI systems are not inclusive, they will make choices that are not inclusive.

Benanti also points out the ethical implications of relying on low-wage workers, often from developing countries, to provide the data that trains AI systems. He criticizes the extraction of cognitive resources from the global South and calls for a more equitable approach to AI development.

The issue of governing AI is not limited to the Vatican. Countries worldwide are grappling with how to regulate AI technology. The European Union has taken a lead in this area, securing a deal that allows for legal oversight of AI. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is concerned about job losses due to AI and plans to make the technology a focus of this year's G-7 summit. Meloni recently met with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Benanti was present at the meeting.

Despite the need for regulation, Benanti emphasizes that governing AI should not stifle its development. He believes that AI should be compatible with democracy, which he considers to be the best system. Benanti sees AI as a powerful tool that can lower the cost of medicine and empower doctors to help more people. However, he emphasizes the importance of finding the right level of use within a social context.

As the Vatican's go-to person on AI technology, Benanti continues to work towards ensuring that AI is used ethically and for the common good. His collaboration with Pope Francis and his engagement with top engineers and executives from Silicon Valley position him as a key figure in the global conversation on governing AI.