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Pope Leo XIV has warned about the dangers of artificial intelligence to human behavior and connection. He noted that the AI models could usurp human identities and relationships, influence public opinion, and deepen social polarization.

The comments come as many artificial intelligence models face criticisms since the start of the year. The most glaring one is that of xAI chatbot Grok, which has faced criticism over its use to create inappropriate deepfake images of women and children.

Countries across the world have issued a standing order to the platform to fix its chatbot, with some even going as far as suspending its use in their country while asking Elon Musk to create safeguards to fix the issue.

Pope Leo XIV highlights the dangers of AI to humans

In his message marking the World Day of Social Communications, the pope mentioned that AI systems can reflect how their creators see the world. He mentioned that they can also shape patterns of thought by reproducing the biases embedded in the data that they process. “The challenge is a matter of protecting human identity and authentic relationships,” the pontiff said.

We need faces and voices to once again speak the person. We need to safeguard the gift of communication as the deepest truth of the human being, and to orient every technological innovation toward it. https://t.co/PmSAHj4gju

— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) January 24, 2026

Pope Leo XIV’s warnings are also coming as generative AI continues to make leaps and bounds towards replication. The models are now used to manufacture images, music, and texts to levels where they are sometimes indistinguishable from human-made works.

In 2023, his predecessor, Pope Francis, was the subject of several viral fake AI images. In some images, he wore a white puffer jacket instead of his usual robes, while in others, he was altered in some ways.

Since then, generative AI has been the go-to tool for some high-profile figures, including United States President Donald Trump, who has generated and posted several AI-generated images to his online accounts.

In his speech, Pope Leo XIV warned that only a small number of companies hold significant power over AI development, and that AI tools are now increasing the difficulty of telling apart works that were created by humans and those created using the models.

Pope urges tech leaders to look into AI risks

This is not the first time that Pope Leo XIV has warned the global populace about the risks and dangers associated with artificial intelligence. Since he was elected Pope last May as the first pontiff from the United States, he has consistently warned about the growing influence of AI technology.

In November, he urged the leaders in the technology industry to build artificial intelligence models that respect human dignity.

He highlighted that AI development is part of a larger struggle over who we become when we build systems that learn, decide, and operate at a global scale.

“Technological innovation can be a form of participation in the divine act of creation. It carries an ethical and spiritual weight, for every design choice expresses a vision of humanity,” the Pope said at the time. He called on builders of AI to create models that show genuine reverence for life.

In addition to creating models that show genuine reverence for life, the Pope also criticized systems that present statistical probability as reliable knowledge, adding that the tools only offer approximation. He noted that the challenge ahead is to establish effective governance and called on countries to educate young people about how algorithms influence perceptions of reality.

The pontiff also condemned the increased use of AI in military applications, warning against delegating life-and-death decisions to machines.

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A British aviation company brought its electric flying taxi to New York City this week, showing off a vehicle designed to one day carry regular commuters to airports and other nearby destinations at prices the company claims will be comparable to premium ride-sharing services.

Vertical Aerospace, based in the United Kingdom, displayed its Valo aircraft in Manhattan. The company’s chairman, Dómhnal Slattery, says these flying vehicles are intended to expand beyond wealthy travelers who can afford expensive helicopter rides.

Aiming for affordable air travel with electric power

“This is not for the affluent, or the super affluent, which is where helicopters have been forever. We want to democratize urban air mobility,” Slattery told Yahoo Finance.

The Valo aircraft has a wingspan of nearly 50 feet and can carry up to six passengers along with a pilot and their bags. That makes it bigger than other flying taxis currently under development by competing companies.

The aircraft runs entirely on electricity and has eight rotors that let it take off straight up like a helicopter. Once airborne, four propellers in the front spin 90 degrees to push the vehicle forward for regular flight. According to the company, the electric motors make much less noise than traditional helicopters.

Vertical Aerospace designed the Valo for trips of 100 miles or less. The company expects the aircraft to make several short flights between charges rather than one long journey.

Slattery said the company aims to charge around the same price as an Uber Black service for each seat when the cabin is set up for six people. “That opens up the mass market,” he explained. Right now, an Uber Black ride from downtown Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport costs about $150, though prices can go higher during busy times.

Slattery maintains that running on electricity instead of fuel makes the Valo cheaper to operate than regular helicopters. Traditional helicopters create noise and air pollution, need repairs more often, and require more room to take off and land.

The aircraft shown in New York will soon begin the approval process with European aviation officials. Slattery says European rules are tougher than those from the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States.

“What we’re revealing tonight is the certification airplane; this is what you’re physically seeing out there,” Slattery said about the displayed vehicle. He said the approval process will start next year.

Getting approved requires proving the aircraft is safe and reliable. Slattery, who spent years working in the aircraft leasing business, says passengers also need to feel confident about flying in these vehicles.

“We want to really show these things are safe; I need to convince people that this becomes as safe as a Boeing 737, because commercial aviation is the safest form of transport in the world,” Slattery said. “We all have worked hard in the industry to achieve that (safety) metric. And so in this industry, proving safety and showing safety is what will make the difference over the next decade.”

Airline partnerships and route planning underway

Vertical Aerospace has partnered with American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The company hopes to receive full certification by 2028 and begin operating flights that year.

However, the company won’t actually run the passenger services. Instead, it plans to operate as a manufacturer like Boeing or Airbus, building aircraft that airlines and other operators will use to serve customers.

The company plans to offer flying taxi services in London. In the New York area, Vertical Aerospace is working with Bristow Group, a major helicopter transportation company, and Skyports Infrastructure, which runs heliports around New York City. Together, they’re planning routes that would connect New York City to Newark and Teterboro airports in New Jersey, as well as JFK and East Hampton Airport.

Some companies already provide helicopter airport transfers. Blade, which Joby Aviation owns, currently uses regular helicopters but plans to switch to its own electric aircraft eventually.

Competition among flying taxi companies will be fierce, and Vertical Aerospace is betting that the Valo’s size, speed, and distance capabilities will provide a competitive edge.

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