Boon or Bane? All About Pope Leo's Warning On AI’s Impact On Young Minds

AI is a boon and many would agree with it easily. But is there a dark side of this boon? It's time to take a closer look. Artificial Intelligence may be revolutionising the world, but many say, it also comes with serious risks-especially for the younger generation.

Pope Leo XIV, a mathematics graduate and the recently elected head of the Catholic Church, has issued a strong caution about the potential neurological and intellectual consequences of AI on children and young people.

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In a written address to delegates at the Second Rome Conference on AI, the American pontiff voiced deep concern about how overexposure to AI-generated content may distort young people's ability to interpret reality and develop critical thinking.

"All of us are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development," the Pope said.

This is Pope Leo's first exclusive statement focused entirely on artificial intelligence, although he has frequently addressed its dangers since his election on May 8. He warned that unfiltered and constant access to vast amounts of AI-generated data should not be confused with genuine intelligence or wisdom.

"No generation has ever had such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI. But access to data - however extensive - must not be confused with intelligence," the pontiff cautioned.

While acknowledging AI's role in advancing healthcare and scientific research, the Pope emphasised that these benefits must be weighed against its potential to undermine humanity's cognitive abilities.

Adding to his concerns, Pope Leo himself has become a victim of AI misuse. In recent weeks, several deepfake videos and audio messages purporting to be from the Pope have surfaced online. An AFP investigation recently uncovered dozens of AI-generated clips on YouTube and TikTok mimicking the Pope's voice in English and Spanish-raising alarm about the dangers of misinformation and digital impersonation.

A related survey conducted by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism highlighted that a growing number of young users are now relying on AI chatbots to receive news headlines and updates-raising further questions about how young audiences are processing information in the digital age.

The Catholic Church has been actively involved in shaping ethical discourse around new technologies. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican launched the Rome Call for AI Ethics in 2020-an initiative endorsed by global tech giants like Microsoft and IBM, as well as the United Nations and academic institutions.

Pope Leo's latest warning signals a growing concern that while AI holds transformative promise, it also poses profound challenges-especially for the cognitive health and moral development of future generations.