“Safeguarding Human Voices and Faces” is the theme chosen by the Pope for the 60th World Day of Social Communications. Next year, this day will be celebrated in many countries, including Italy, on May 17, 2026, the Solemnity of the Ascension. “As Catholics, we can and should give our contribution, so that people – especially youth – acquire the capacity of critical thinking and grow in the freedom of the spirit.”
Humanity today has possibilities that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. We are presented with tremendous opportunities—but also very real risks. Artificial intelligence can generate content that is captivating but misleading, manipulative, or harmful. It can replicate biases and stereotypes embedded in its training data and amplify disinformation by simulating human voices and faces. Excessive reliance on AI can weaken critical thinking and stifle creativity.
At the same time, the monopolized control of these systems raises serious concerns about centralized power and growing inequality. There is an urgent need to integrate media literacy into educational systems—now joined by a new priority: literacy in artificial intelligence, or MAIL (Media and Artificial Intelligence Literacy). As Catholics, we can and must contribute to this effort, helping people—especially the younger generations—develop discernment and grow in spiritual freedom.