Pope Francis has invited Catholics around the world to pray that robotics and artificial intelligence will remain always at the service of human beings. He made the appeal in his prayer intention for November. "We pray that the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may always serve humankind," reads the prayer intention, which is publicized each month by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. The prayer intention is the latest expression of concern about the direction of cutting-edge technology to emerge from the Vatican. In February, the Pontifical Academy for Life signed an appeal for the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), a branch of computer science devoted to building machines which can perform tasks that ordinarily require human intelligence. The document, which was also signed by presidents of IBM and Microsoft, called for the promotion of "Algor-ethics."

Technological advancements can enhance human development and contribute to creating optimal conditions for the exercise of human rights. At the same time, we need to address questions of fairness, of the risk of perpetuating bias and stereotypes, of discriminatory decision-making patterns, and of challenges related to interpretability, privacy, security and oversight. And we should ask ourselves: what can countries and international organisations do to address the challenge of "algocracy"? The discussion Artificial Intelligence – Technology to Serve Humankind will engage the audience in critical reflection on the challenges and opportunities that AI carries for individuals and societies, and for the viability of institutional frameworks, with a special emphasis on the use of the technology for public policies that enhance the quality of life and progress of humankind. The event will address the legal and ethical questions that accompany the current and potential use of AI in our society and identify potential ways forward.