G7 Summit: Pope Francis urges ban on 'lethal autonomous weapons'

Pope Francis has called for a ban on "lethal autonomous weapons", while addressing the G7 leaders during the summit.

Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address the G7 grouping, with a speech on the perils of artificial intelligence.

"In light of the tragedy that is armed conflict, it is critical to reconsider the development and use of devices like the so-called 'lethal autonomous weapons' and ultimately ban their use," the 87-year-old said on Friday (June 14).

In a meeting held in Puglia, southern Italy, Pope emphasised the importance of prioritising strong and clear human oversight in AI development.

He stressed that machines should never be able to make independent decisions about taking human lives.

Pope Francis, invited by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to address the Group of Seven (G7) summit, has repetitively condemned the arms industry and those he says profit from wars and death.

"Artificial intelligence (is) at the same time a thrilling and terrifying tool," Pope Francis told leaders at the summit.

"If we hand over control over our lives to machines, we risk a future where humanity is robbed of any sense of hope," he warned.

The G7, which brings together Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, said on Friday that AI "can play a crucial role in promoting progress and development in our societies".

"We recognise the impact of AI on the military domain and the need for a framework for responsible development and use," the leaders said in their joint statement.

"We need to make sure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by artificial intelligence programmes: human dignity itself depends on it," Francis said.

'Serenity, smiles'

Earlier, Pope Francis had spent the morning with comedians at the Vatican, including Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon.

He met over 100 artists from the world of humour as part of his efforts to engage with contemporary culture.

“Forget the formalities,!" the pontiff chuckled, thrusting his thumb in his ear and wiggling his fingers in a silent hello to the amused audience. "No speech needed.”

"Engrossed as we are in many social and personal emergencies, you have the power to spread serenity and smiles," the pope told them.

"You are among the few to have the ability to speak to very different people, from different generations, backgrounds and cultures," Francis said.

The 107 comedians included Britain's Stephen Merchant, from TV show The Office, US stand-up comedian Rock, and Italy's Silvio Orlando, who played a scheming cardinal in The Young Pope.

(With inputs from agencies)