More than 150 people from 13 countries attended the two-day event, which ended with a signing ceremony of the Rome Call for AI Ethics – a document listing the principles of transparency, inclusion, accountability, impartiality, reliability and privacy. Representatives highlighted how scientific progress could help create peace and a more ethical world.

The Pontifical Academy for Life and the Italian government created the document in 2019. They cooperated with leading science and technology companies, such as Microsoft and IBM, in AI development. Several organizations and educational institutions supported the project, offering to share their knowledge and promote the responsible use of AI.

The Church of England, influential Jewish rabbis and Muslim leaders, and foremen from Buddhist, Hindu, Zoroastrian and Bahá’í traditions came together for what the Vatican described as a “historic multireligious event.”

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Academy for Life, read Pope Francis’s message: “I ask you to show the world that we are united in asking for a proactive commitment to protect human dignity in this new era of machine”.

Archbishop Paglia described AI as “a great tool with unlimited possibilities of application that could become a driver of peace and reconciliation among peoples.” Sheikh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, president of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace and chair of the United Arab Emirates Council for Fatwa, agreed with the concept, emphasizing “a future in which the fruits of technology are harnessed to build a more tolerant, peaceful and virtuous world.”

Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weiss, a member of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel’s Commission for Interfaith Relations, stated, “AI strengthens our faith in God, providing avenues for exploring the intricacies of creation and the mysteries of existence.”

Pope Francis’ advisor for AI, Reverend Paolo Benanti, showcased a second document called the “Hiroshima Appeal,” which urges world leaders to use the technology for peace, resolve conflicts and put a halt to all violence.

Reverend Paolo Ciucci, a Catholic priest, one of the coordinators of the event, who works on AI issues at the Vatican, admitted that it had not been easy to convince Muslim and Jewish representatives to sit together at the table: “What’s important is that everyone agreed to participate. If we sit down to discuss theology among religions, we will never get out of it alive, but if we do something for the betterment of humanity, we can all sit at the table.”