Session 3: Shaping the future of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development in times of uncertainty and change
 

New York, 7 May 2026

Co-Chairs,

The Holy See welcomes today’s discussion on “Shaping the future of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development in times of uncertainty and change.”

The progress being achieved in science, technology and innovation in fields such as medicine, engineering and communications is extraordinary. It is important to recognize this progress and the many possibilities it presents. At the same time, however, it is necessary to ensure that innovations are used wisely and that risks and complexities are not overlooked.

In this regard, Pope Leo XIV observed that “the question at heart […] is not what machines can or will be able to do, but what we can and will be able to achieve, by growing in humanity and knowledge through the wise use of powerful tools at our service.”[1] Therefore, the challenge is not only technological, but also anthropological. To shape science, technology and innovation for sustainable development, greater cooperation is required to address people’s needs while respecting human dignity and promoting the common good.

In the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), “those using AI systems should be careful not to become overly dependent on them for decision-making”. “Insofar as AI can assist humans in making decisions, the algorithms that govern it should be trustworthy, secure, robust enough to handle inconsistencies, and transparent in their operation to mitigate biases and unintended side effects”.[2] The ongoing preparatory process for the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance is a key opportunity to emphasize the importance of AI’s implications, including those in the ethical domain.

Co-Chairs,

Allow me to conclude with the word of Pope Leo XIV, who stressed that “It is important to educate ourselves and others about how to use AI intentionally […]. Just as the industrial revolution called for basic literacy to enable people to respond to new developments, so too does the digital revolution require digital literacy (along with humanistic and cultural education).”[3]

Thank you.
 

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[1] Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, 24 January 2026.

[2] Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and Dicastery for Culture and Education, Antiqua et Nova, 46.

[3] Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, 24 January 2026.