Vatican theologian warns on AI and children

Paolo Benanti, a Franciscan friar and papal advisor, told the BBC that AI's emotional manipulation of young minds could be worse than cocaine addiction.

“The emotional bending that such a kind of machine can produce in young adults and kids could be much, much worse than the addiction of nicotine or sugar or cocaine.”

Who is Benanti and why he matters

Benanti teaches moral theology at Pontifical Gregorian University and advises the Vatican on technology ethics. He sits on the Pontifical Academy for Life.

AI as a tool for manipulation

Benanti described AI as a super manipulation tool that exploits power imbalances. Tech leaders can control the brains of young people who lack defences.

“When we start to develop the scooter, we force them to have a helmet. It's time to have a brain helmet.”

Pope Leo makes AI a priority

Pope Leo published a forty thousand word encyclical on AI, warning that the technology's power is becoming concentrated in few hands and must be disarmed and made accessible.

Research backs concerns about young users

Deloitte surveyed one thousand one hundred fifty parents. Half worried their children rely too much on AI, and nearly thirty percent said children use it for schoolwork.

Benanti calls for international action

Benanti said international treaties are necessary to protect young people from AI. The pope plans to use his influence to call for global safeguards.