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6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MARCH 2022 OPINION 2 maltatoday EXECUTIVE EDITOR KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt Letters to the Editor, MaltaToday, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt Letters must be concise, no pen names accepted, include full name and address maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 MAY 2026 Pope's call for an ethical code for AI should be heeded Editorial POPE Leo XIV's first encyclical Magnifica human- itas makes a strong case for approaching artificial intelligence with vigilance given the impact it can have on humanity. The part of the encyclical dealing with AI is not an- ti-technology; neither is it anti-innovation. It would be mistaken to frame the pope's words within this nar- rative. On the contrary, the encyclical is calling for "tech- nological progress without regression of the heart". AI can make our lives easier; it can offer possibilities that were otherwise thought impossible to achieve but it also creates new social, legal, economic and person- al challenges that must not be ignored or discounted. Humanity must not be sacrificed on the altar of tech- nological progress. This sentiment is summed up in Leo's reflection on humanity. "Humanity—in all its grandeur and wound- edness—must never be replaced or surpassed. Tech- nology can alleviate humanity's sufferings and open new possibilities, but it must not deny the essence of humanity, which is our capacity for relationship and love." This is the language of compassion. The language that draws a critical line between humanity with its limitations, its considered evaluation, its empathy, its critical judgement, its ethical boundaries, its feelings; and AI that is soulless. AI can imitate and simulate the person, but it does not possess a moral conscience, empathy, or affective, relational or spiritual capabilities. But the pope's language is not one of fear. "The true alternative is not between enthusiasm and fear, but between two paths of development: A progress that serves individuals and peoples, or a progress that sub- jects them to the mentality of power." More importantly, Leo underscores a fact that is of- ten overlooked. "Technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, fi- nance, regulate, and use it." Within this context the pope's call for clarity about responsibilities and accountability at every stage of the development process, is crucial. And this can be achieved by focusing on adequate AI policies and legal frameworks, independent oversight, and user educa- tion. However, Leo also calls for an ethical code that is subject to shared standards of social justice, where de- cisions are not taken by the few. "A more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few," he says. This is why democratically elected institutions on a national and transnational basis should be involved in the drawing up of legal frameworks that determine how AI is used, what is acceptable and not, and out- lining the chains of responsibility and accountability. This is more so important in the military realm, where the rules of engagement must be defined, even though the rules of conventional warfare have been abused in- cessantly in wars over the past years. The EU's AI Act, the world's first comprehensive le- gal framework for AI, defines a four-tier risk approach. The rules establish obligations for providers and users depending on the level of risk. While many AI systems pose minimal risk, they still need to be assessed. In this sense, the EU has been on the forefront of AI regula- tion. But the pope also makes another reflection that is overlooked because it may not be sexy to bring up in the face of technology's awe-inspiring abilities. The environmental impact of new technologies needs to be addressed since they often require large quantities of energy and water thus further straining the earth's resources. The pope also calls for AI to be "disarmed", to free it from the mentality of military, economic, and cog- nitive competition. "To disarm means discrediting the assumption that technical power automatically con- fers the right to govern," Leo writes in the encyclical. "To disarm does not mean rejecting technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity," he says. And in essence that is the crux of the argument. Quote of the Week "Technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it." – Pope Leo XIV in his encyclical Magnifica humanitas, which is an appeal for the safeguarding of humanity in the age of artificial intelligence. MaltaToday 10 years ago BOV chief sees no conflict of interest in writing editorials for The Times 29 May 2026 BANK of Valletta chairman John Cassar White has told MaltaToday that he sees no conflict of interest in writing editorials for The Times. It is unclear whether he declared his contri- butions to the board, considering his very sen- sitive role. He was asked by MaltaToday to ex- plain how he could reconcile the two roles and whether he considered this to be a serious con- flict of interest. Cassar White, who was appointed chairman of the Bank of Valletta, where the government has a majority shareholding, by Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, told MaltaToday: "As an ex- perienced journalist and purely as an academic consideration, you know that it is editors who assume responsibility for what is written in ed- itorials that are published in their newspapers." [...] But the pope also makes another reflection that is overlooked because it may not be sexy to bring up in the face of technology's awe-inspiring abilities. The environmental impact of new technologies needs to be addressed since they often require large quantities of energy and water thus further straining the earth's resources