Qualcomm expanded big tech’s backing for the Roman Catholic Church’s Rome Call AI ethics programme, joining companies including Microsoft, IBM and Cisco as a key technology partner in the push to ensure the technology is developed in the right way.
CEO Cristiano Amon (pictured, right) signed the Rome Call in Vatican City earlier today (13 June).
Amon said the programme complements Qualcomm’s “Responsible AI Principles” and core purpose to develop products which “respect privacy, minimise potential harm and advance societies”.
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Academy for Life and the RenAIssance Foundation (pictured, left), noted recently-appointed Pope Leo XIV is keen to continue the ethical AI push introduced by predecessor Pope Francis in 2020.
The cleric explained the urgency required to develop AI ethics sensed by the Church when it unveiled the Rome Call has only grown as the technology begins “shaping everyday life”.
“As Pope Leo XIV stated, AI is one of the challenges that define our time. Qualcomm’s commitment is a further significant contribution shaping the future of responsible AI.”
The Rome Call encourages governments, international organisations, institutions and the private sector to develop technology which benefits everyone. Qualcomm and the Church explained signatories commit to follow principles of “transparency, inclusion, accountability, impartiality, reliability, security and privacy”.
Developments are overseen by the RenAIssance Foundation, a non-profit established in 2021 which encourages development of Rome Call-promoting activities by international organisations, governments and states, universities, research centres and more.