Quotations below are from the AI transcript and must be checked before print.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, [told the UN General Assembly](gadebate.un.org/en/81/holy-see) on Sept. 26 that the potential use of artificial intelligence in war gives rise to “certain non-negotiable requirements.” Systems used in war “must guarantee the possibility of retracing and reconstructing decision making processes so that accountability and blame are not collapsed into the machine,” he said; “the decision to use lethal force cannot be delegated to opaque or automated processes, but must remain under effective, self-aware, and responsible human control”; and “it is imperative to establish a shared framework also at the international level in order to curb the technological arms race and ensure robust protection for civilians and the infrastructures necessary for their survival.” The control of such tools, he said, “must not remain in the hands of a select few.”

Parolin called for an immediate and total cessation of hostilities as the prerequisite for rebuilding, and said disarmament “is not an optional ideal, but a necessary vehicle” for peace. On the Gulf war, he said the Holy See “cannot remain silent about the dramatic impact that this conflict is having on vulnerable civilian populations who are being driven into hunger and forced displacement,” and appealed to the parties “to find the courage to engage in dialogue.” He said the Holy See “is closely monitoring the situation between Cuba and the United States,” and called on “those responsible to foster a sincere and effective dialogue so as to avoid any action that might increase the suffering of the beloved Cuban people.” He closed: “It is imperative to disarm not only weapons,” but “methodologies of domination.”