# Pope Leo calls for disarmament of AI, urging a ban on lethal autonomous weapons

> Original title: Pope Leo calls for the disarmament of AI: ‘Machines are tools, not persons’

- Source: The Verge · AI
- Published: 2026-10-30T14:58:06.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/in29kjkc5dt9rffy125zxcmyc
- Original: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1023188/pope-leo-disarm-ai

## Summary

Pope Leo XIV says AI systems should be "disarmed" and urges United Nations member states to take concrete steps toward banning lethal autonomous weapons at their meeting in Geneva next month. In his Friday address, he says "Machines are tools, not persons" and warns against granting AI systems rights or legal personhood. He calls for decisions affecting human life, freedom and the use of force to remain subject to human oversight.