The Pope's AI advisor says the technology can be worse for kids than cocaine (www.businessinsider.com)

Paolo Benanti, a moral theologian advising the pope, stated in a recent BBC interview that AI's influence on children could be more harmful than addiction to substances like nicotine or cocaine. He referred to AI as "super manipulation tools" that could distort young minds and emphasized the need for protective measures to safeguard youth from its effects. Advocating for an "international action" against the potential dangers of AI, he highlighted the imbalance in power dynamics, where technology leaders can manipulate vulnerable populations. Benanti called for international treaties to ensure AI serves the greater good and criticized the current state of technological development. Benanti's remarks come amid growing concerns in the AI community about the implications of rapid AI advancement. AI figures like Elon Musk have echoed his calls for more cautious development and the incorporation of third-party safety evaluators. The pope, who has made AI a pivotal issue of his papacy, previously released an encyclical addressing the concentration of AI power and urging for a more equitable distribution of technology. This conversation around AI ethics and youth protection is critical as research shows increasing reliance on generative AI among students, raising concerns about its impact on independent thinking and decision-making skills.