
Mathematical education of the new Pope will help the Church in the AI era
The Vatican has chosen a new Pope, and it is the American Robert Francis Prevost. Unexpectedly, but this event is related to artificial intelligence. Robert Francis has taken the name Leo 14, and this is a choice with meaning.
In his first address to the College of Cardinals, the new Pope explained the symbolism of the chosen name. Leo is a reference to Pope Leo 13, who led the Catholic Church during the beginning of the industrial revolution. Prevost sees a direct analogy between that time and today.
According to the new pontiff, the Church now stands on the threshold of a new industrial revolution. The era of artificial intelligence. And recent advances in this field pose serious challenges for the Catholic Church in protecting human dignity. Namely, ensuring justice and understanding the meaning of work in a world where machines can replace people.
Also, the new Pope has a solid mathematical background. Robert Prevost received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at the university. Moreover, he has several published articles on statistics. This is actually the first Pope with a mathematical education in the modern history of the Vatican. And a pontiff with an understanding of the mathematical principles underlying artificial intelligence is potentially able to offer a more balanced and informed view. On the ethical problems associated with new technologies.
And here a historical analogy can be drawn with Pope Leo 13. Who formulated the social doctrine of the church in response to the first industrial revolution. And with Leo 14’s clear intention to follow this example. Combined with his mathematical education.