Pope Francis and Microsoft discuss the ethics of artificial intelligence

Sky News Arab - Abu Dhabi
The president of Microsoft Brad Smith met Pope Francis on Wednesday to discuss the ethics of using artificial intelligence and ways to bridge the digital divide between rich and poor countries, the Vatican said.

The head of the global technology giant and leader of the Catholic Church, aged 81, spoke for about 30 minutes at the Pope's residence.

"They discussed" artificial intelligence in the public interest and activities aimed at bridging the digital divide that still exists at the global level, "the statement said.
Smith, 60, told the Vatican's Le Observer Romano in an interview that new strong moral codes were needed so that technological developments such as artificial intelligence would not fall into the wrong hands.

The Vatican pointed out that the "Pontifical Academy for Life" will sponsor with Microsoft a prize for the best PhD in 2019, the subject of "Artificial Intelligence in the service of human life."