Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsCanadaCanadian PoliticsCarney speaks to Pope Leo about artificial intelligence as government prepares AI strategyThe pontiff opened his letter by illustrating how humanity was at a crossroads when it came to the technologyLast updated 21 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Pope Leo XIV arrives to attend his weekly general audience at St. Peter's square in the Vatican on May 27, 2026. Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI /AFP via Getty ImagesOTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke to Pope Leo XIV about the importance of protecting humanity when it comes to artificial intelligence, according to his office.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorA readout of the conversation says Carney thanked the Pope for his “leadership in this field.”“They discussed the imperative that AI must serve humanity, beginning with the protection of the individual,” says a readout provided by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday.“Prime Minister Carney expressed Canada’s desire to lead internationally on responsible AI and tools to benefit the global community.”The readout says the pair also discussed the Vatican’s return of some Indigenous artifacts to Canada from its museums, which has been a longstanding calls from Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors, as well as the need for global peace.Carney, who is Catholic, spoke to the Pope about artificial intelligence after the pontiff released new guidance when it comes to approaching the technology, directing it at global Catholics and Christians.“In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human,” the Pope said in his encyclical letter, the first released since he became pontiff last year .“We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace.”The Pope also warned about the consequences of individuals having mass amounts of their data collected.He says in his letter that the “freedom in the digital age is not merely a matter of interiority but also a public concern.”“It calls for clear rules, transparency, the possibility of recourse and proportionate limits on the use of intrusive technologies, so that technology will remain at the service of the human person and not become a form of control over consciences.”The pontiff opened his letter by illustrating how humanity was at a crossroads when it came to the technology.“Either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.”Carney told reporters this week that his government’s long-awaited artificial intelligence strategy is expected to come next week, an effort that has been spearheaded by Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon.Solomon’s office has only said that the strategy’s release was “imminent,” and did not confirm a specific date.Canada’s approach to artificial intelligence, particularly chatbots, has fallen under heavy scrutiny since a shooter opened fire on family members and a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., located in the province’s interior.Solomon, who met with representatives from OpenAI after it was revealed that the shooter had their account suspended due to what the company had previously flagged as troubling exchanges, has said the government was looking at all options for next steps.The minister has touted the importance of ensuring Canada’s approach to artificial intelligence was competitive with jurisdictions like the United States, with the federal government also having its own approach for the technology within the public service in hopes of improving output.National PostOur website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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