The Principles behind the Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence

Human dignity, ethics, security and transparency

Respect for human dignity, security, transparency and ethics are the principles that inspired the drafting of the Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence. Fifteen days since they came into effect, with the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State’s Decree No. DCCII, and while awaiting the laws and regulations for their implementation, it is worth reviewing the key points they feature.

The Guidelines contain principles and standards for the ethical, responsible and controlled use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Vatican City State. The main goal is to ensure that AI research, development and implementation activities are aimed at achieving the common good, and place people at the centre.

The Guidelines address several highly relevant issues, including ethics and transparency, which not only involve protecting human dignity, but also adopting systems that are easily accessible and controllable by users. In this context, transparency is absolutely essential, in order to foster trust in the use of Artificial Intelligence and to ensure that decisions made by automated systems are clear and aligned with ethical principles.

The Guidelines also address the anthropocentric dimension and reliability. Artificial Intelligence will never be able to replace humans and must respect their autonomy. Indeed, AI should serve people, not dominate them, and final decisions must always be made by humans.

Also crucial are security and data protection. The Guidelines emphasize the need for data security and confidentiality, especially with biometric data. In this regard, the use of Artificial Intelligence must be guided by principles of protection, in order to prevent data misuse.

The Guidelines also highlight the importance of non-discrimination and sustainability. Non-discrimination aims to prevent bias against individuals. Furthermore, economic and environmental sustainability are necessary investments to adopt intelligent technologies that have positive long-term impacts.

Another aspect to consider is vigilance and control, an area, that requires continuous monitoring of data management and data processing, with the aim of ensuring that results are accurate, appropriate and in line with the principles of transparency and proportionality.

Regarding compatibility with the mission of the Church and the Governorate, it is interesting to note that the Guidelines specify that the use of Artificial Intelligence should neither harm the Pope’s pastoral mission or compromise the Church, nor be in conflict with the  Governorate’s institutional activities.

This is why special attention is required when using technologies within a context that has specific ethical and moral demands.

The Guidelines also include certain restrictions regarding the implementation of Artificial Intelligence.

Firstly, with regards to discrimination and psychological harm, it is strictly prohibited to use AI for any discriminatory acts, such as making statements that may violate human rights or cause psychological or physical harm. Another important point addresses access to Artificial Intelligence by people with disabilities. The use of AI is categorically prohibited if it prevents access to the disabled.

Moreover, the Guidelines emphasize that the use of Artificial Intelligence must respect the security of the State and public order, and cannot be in conflict with the mission of the Catholic Church.

The Guidelines contain a chapter dedicated to general principles, separated according to topics, starting with information and data treatment. They emphasize the ethical and transparent use of data, including personal data protection. Regulations on privacy must be respected, without causing any discrimination or undermining human dignity. Moreover, the language should be clear and comprehensible to all users, and guarantee users the right to challenge any incorrect use of their data.

With regards to scientific research and healthcare, Artificial Intelligence must be used to improve health management and medical protection, without influencing the decision-making freedom of doctors.

Another point considered is the prohibition of violating copyrights of creative and artistic works. The Guidelines emphasize that content generated through Artificial Intelligence must be recognizable, and that the Governorate holds economic and authorship rights over content created within its territory.

The Guidelines also address cultural heritage, stating that the use of Artificial Intelligence in the management of cultural assets, should be carried out with respect for the integrity of the assets, and should be in line with international regulations on restoration and preservation.

Within the context of infrastructures and services, Artificial Intelligence can be used to improve economic and environmental sustainability. However, it must never compromise security or limit the decisions made by experts.

Artificial Intelligence can be used to simplify administrative procedures and improve their efficiency, but decision-making should always be up to humans. The Guidelines include a provision to monitor the impact of regulations on its use. In the workforce sector, for example, Artificial Intelligence can be used to upgrade staff training and workplace safety, and must foster transparency in personnel selection, avoid discrimination and respect human dignity.

In the legal field, Artificial Intelligence can only be used for the organization and simplification of legal work and for legal research. Effectively, it can never be involved in making final decisions nor ever replace magistrates in their judgment.

In the area of security, the Guidelines establish that the use of Artificial Intelligence will be regulated by specific implementing regulation. Thus, a set of special regulation will dictate its use in the field of protection and security.

In this regard, the Guidelines provide for the establishment of a Commission on Artificial Intelligence, to be appointed by the President of the Governorate. It will be composed of five members, including officials from the Legal Office, and from the Directorates of Telecommunications and Information Systems, and of Security and Civil Protection Services.

The Commission’s main responsibilities will include drafting laws and implementing regulations for the use of Artificial Intelligence, providing opinions on proposals for the testing and implementation of systems within the Vatican, reporting potential risks to the Governorate and drafting a semi-annual report on the impact of the use of Artificial Intelligence within Vatican City State.

Commission members will serve a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal or replacement by the President of the Governorate.

The new provisions clearly establish that Artificial Intelligence must be used with great caution in the Vatican and be limited to specific areas, such as the organization of legal work and research, but never replace human decisions.

The Guidelines state that it is fundamental that Artificial Intelligence be an aid to human decision-making and never a replacement for it, in line with the institutional mission of Vatican City State.