Latest news with #LeoXIV
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Business Leaders Called To Align Tech Decisions With Corporate Values
Signs point to an emerging, if informal, social contact on AI deployment. With the rapid rollout of AI, corporate leaders are increasingly being called to consider the proper alignment between technology strategies and organizational purposes and values. It's a call that speaks to an informal, yet important 'social license' between companies and their stakeholders on the use of technology, and its impact on labor, among other interests. And it's a call that's been reflected in recent comments from influential religious, legal and business leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy, and Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz Founding Partner Martin Lipton. Attention to this informal social license arose from President Joseph Biden's 2023 Executive Order on the 'Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.' This (now revoked) Executive Order identified eight specific principles on which AI development should be guided, including a commitment to supporting American workers and preventing 'harmful labor-force disruptions'. The National Association of Corporate Directors ('NACD') indirectly acknowledged the AI social license in its 2024 Blue Ribbon Commission Report, 'Technology Leadership in the Boardroom: Driving Trust and Value.' The Report called upon boards to 'move fast and be bold' with respect to AI deployment, while simultaneously acting as a 'guardrail to uphold organizational values and protect stakeholders' interests'. In a May 12, 2025, address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo spoke broadly about the social concerns with AI, focusing particularly on what he described as the challenges to the defense of human dignity, justice and labor that arise from 'developments in the field of artificial intelligence.' A recent article in The Wall Street Journal chronicled the long-running dialogue between the Vatican and Silicon Valley on the ethical implications of AI. Indeed, on June 17, Pope Leo delivered a written message to a two-day international conference in Rome focusing on AI, ethics and corporate governance. In his message, the Pope urged AI developers to evaluate its implications in the context of the 'integral development of the human person and society…taking into account the well-being of the human person not only materially, but also intellectually and spiritually…'. This 'alignment' concern was underscored by a recent post by the highly regarded Mr. Lipton, encouraging corporate boards to maintain their organizational values while pursuing value through AI. 'Boards should consider in a balanced manner the effect of technological adoptions on important constituencies, including employees and communities, as opposed to myopically seeking immediate expense-line efficiencies at any cost.' There certainly is little question that for many companies, generative AI is likely to have a disruptive impact on labor; that the efficiency gains expected from AI implementation could result in a reduced or dramatically altered workforce. The related question is the extent to which 'corporate values' should encompass a response to tech-driven labor disruption. Note in this regard the long-standing position of NACD is that a positive workforce culture is a significant corporate asset. A recent memo from Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy offers a positive example of how to address the strategy/values alignment challenge ‒ by being transparent with employees, well in advance, about the coming transformation and its impact on the workforce, and by offering practical suggestions on how employees can best prepare for it: Those who embrace this change, become conversant in AI, help us build and improve our AI capabilities internally and deliver for customers, will be well-positioned to have high impact and help us reinvent the company. As boards work with management to deploy AI, they should be in regular conversation on which valued-centered decisions the board must be informed, and on which such decisions they may be asked to decide, or merely advise. Such a dialogue is likely to enhance the reflection on corporate purposes and values within decisions regarding strategy and technology. Of course, that incorporation can come in many different ways and from many different directions; the Amazon example being one of them. There are no established guidelines on how leadership might approach the strategy/values alignment discussion. But there is a growing recognition that corporate values must be accommodated in some manner into the AI decision-making. Most likely, effective alignment will balance the inevitability of AI—driven workforce impact with initiatives that advance employee well-being and 'positively augment human work,' including initiatives that minimize job-displacement risks and maximize career opportunities related to AI. For as the NACD suggests, the ultimate AI deployment message to the board is that '[I]t's about what you can do, but also what you should do.'
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Pope Leo XIV appeals for unity within the Catholic Church in Holy Year messages to priests
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV doubled down on Friday on his appeal for unity in the polarized Catholic Church, urging priests to act in communion with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a world driven by conflicts and divisions. Leo appealed for unity in a triptych of messages to priests who are celebrating a special Holy Year week in Rome dedicated to clergy. He hosted a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, celebrated an ordination Mass on Friday morning and also delivered a written message to priests around the world.
Herald Malaysia
a day ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Salesian Sisters General appointed to Vatican Dicastery
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), as a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Jun 27, 2025 VATICAN: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), as a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Expressing gratitude for her appointment, Mother Chiara said, 'I hope to be worthy of the mission entrusted to me by the Church… and I thank you for the trust placed in me.' Born in Campiglia Marittima, Livorno, in 1955, Mother Chiara is the 10th Successor of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello, co-foundress of the Salesian Sisters. She professed her religious vows in 1975 at Castelgandolfo and holds a degree in Literary Studies. With a background in teaching and school leadership, she later served as Community Animator and Provincial Councilor. In 2001, she was named Provincial Councilor for Formation after the unification of the Provinces of Emilia, Liguria, and Tuscany. She became Provincial in 2007, then Visiting Councilor during General Chapter XXII (2008), and later Vicar General (2014). Elected as Mother General on 5 October 2021 during General Chapter XXIV, she has since guided the Institute with dedication. Mother Chiara joins other eminent appointees to the Dicastery, including Cardinals Arthur Roche, Cristóbal López Romero, Giorgio Marengo, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Jaime Spengler; bishops from five continents; and leaders of various religious congregations and missionary institutes. The Dicastery plays a pivotal role in the life of the Church by fostering, regulating, and approving Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life globally, ensuring fidelity to their charisms and mission.--Matters India
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Pope warns of AI risks to young brains
Since his election as head of the Catholic Church on May 8, the pope – a mathematics graduate – has repeatedly warned of the risks associated with AI but this is the first time he has spoken out exclusively on the subject. — Reuters VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV warned of the potential consequences of artificial intelligence (AI) on the intellectual development of young people, saying it could damage their grip on reality. Since his election as head of the Catholic Church on May 8, the pope – a mathematics graduate – has repeatedly warned of the risks associated with AI but this is the first time he has spoken out exclusively on the subject. "All of us... are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development," the American pope warned in a written message to participants at the second Rome Conference on AI. "No generation has ever had such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI. "But again, access to data – however extensive – must not be confused with intelligence," Leo told business leaders, policymakers and researchers attending the annual conference. While welcoming the use of AI in "enhancing research in healthcare and scientific discovery", the pope said it "raises troubling questions on its possible repercussions" on humanity's "distinctive ability to grasp and process reality". Pope Leo himself has been the target of deep fake videos and audio messages published on social media in recent weeks. An AFP investigation earlier this month identified dozens of YouTube and TikTok pages broadcasting AI-generated messages masquerading as genuine comments from the pope in English or Spanish. A survey from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism this week found significant numbers of young people in particular were using chatbots to get headlines and updates. The Catholic Church has attempted to influence ethical thinking surrounding the use of new technologies in recent years under Leo's predecessor Francis. In 2020, the Vatican initiated the Rome Call for AI Ethics – signed by Microsoft, IBM, the United Nations, Italy and a host of universities – urging transparency and respect for privacy. – AFP
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Pope Leo laments ‘diabolical intensity' of Middle East conflicts
"It is truly distressing to see the principle of 'might makes right' prevailing in so many situations today, all for the sake of legitimizing the pursuit of self-interest," Pope Leo XIV said. REUTERS/ Guglielmo Mangiapane/ File photo VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV said on Thursday that conflicts in the Middle East were raging with an unprecedented "diabolical intensity" and appealed for greater respect for international law, in comments to Catholic bishops and aid agencies operating in the region. At a meeting in the Vatican, the pontiff said countries in the region were being "devastated by wars, plundered by special interests, and covered by a cloud of hatred that renders the air unbreathable and toxic." "Today, violent conflict seems to be raging... with a diabolical intensity previously unknown," he said, adding that the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza was "tragic and inhumane." Leo, elected on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, appealed last month for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. He did not name Israel in his remarks on Thursday. The US-born pope also did not directly address the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran that also saw the United States bomb suspected Iranian nuclear facilities but he called for countries to show better respect for international law. "It is truly distressing to see the principle of 'might makes right' prevailing in so many situations today, all for the sake of legitimizing the pursuit of self-interest," he said. "It is troubling to see that the force of international law and humanitarian law seems no longer to be binding, replaced by the alleged right to coerce others," Leo added. — Reuters
