AI, Humanity, and the Future: Pope Leo XIV Joins Growing Debate Over Artificial Intelligence

Brian Haldane and Haggai Davis covered several major technology stories, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and its growing role in society. The conversation started with Waymo self-driving vehicles struggling in flooded streets. Davis explained that LIDAR systems can fail when water reflects signals away from the sensors, making it difficult for autonomous vehicles to recognize dangerous flooding conditions. The issue becomes more challenging as companies expand into wetter cities like New Orleans and Miami.The discussion then shifted to Pope Leo XIV and his recent comments on artificial intelligence. Davis explained that the pope is not anti-AI or anti-technology. Instead, he believes AI should remain a tool that helps humanity rather than replacing real human relationships and connection. The pope’s encyclical encouraged people to maintain compassion, morality, and genuine conversations in an increasingly digital world.The Vatican is also embracing technology in practical ways. A new AI-powered translation tool now helps visitors at St. Peter’s Basilica hear Mass translated into their native language in real time.Haldane and Davis also discussed social media addiction, dopamine-driven engagement, bots, and the growing emotional influence of the internet. They stressed that AI and the internet are tools, not replacements for human interaction.The segment wrapped with a conversation about futuristic AI infrastructure projects, including underwater data centers being developed by China and potential space-based data centers tied to SpaceX.