Vatican Schedules AI Encyclical Event With Secular Speakers

” The document addresses the protection of human dignity amid advances in artificial intelligence. A 33-year-old AI researcher who works on the Claude chatbot’s internal guidelines is among the secular speakers invited to the event. The researcher has previously described himself as an atheist and has posted online comments critical of organized religion.

Background on the Encyclical The encyclical is scheduled for release next week.

It focuses on ethical questions raised by artificial intelligence and the need to safeguard human dignity. Other speakers include two cardinals and two theologians. The pope is also scheduled to deliver remarks at the press conference.

The AI researcher previously worked at OpenAI and Google. He has expressed support for the Effective Altruism movement and has compared aspects of his work to religious moral instruction. An advocacy group executive said the inclusion of secular speakers at the event was disappointing.

The group called for greater involvement from individuals who hold religious beliefs. The Vatican has not released details on the topics the secular speaker will address. The researcher posted on social media that he was honored to participate and that broader input from religions and governments is needed on AI issues.