Artificial Intelligence: We hear about it every single day but still no one has understood exactly what it is. A few years ago it was imagined as science fiction but is now part of our daily lives, with more recent applications of Artificial Intelligence helping to eradicate COVID-19.

Artificial Intelligence offers enormous potential in terms of improving social coexistence and personal well-being, increasing human capabilities as well as activating or facilitating many tasks that can be performed more efficiently. This new technology, like any other, must be explored and produced according to criteria that ensure that it truly serves all of humanity, with respect for it and all other natural environments and of course taking into account the needs of those most vulnerable.

Now more than ever, we must guarantee a perspective in which artificial intelligence will grow with an emphasis not on the technology but on the good of humanity and the environment, two things that are inextricably linked.

In other words, a vision in which human beings and nature are at the heart of the way in which digital innovation is developed, where they will be supported by it and will not be replaced by technologies that are not at all human.

Ethics

Artificial intelligence systems must be designed and implemented to serve and protect human beings and the environment in which they live. In order for technological progress to align with real progress for humanity and respect for the planet, it must meet three conditions.

• It must include every person, without discrimination to anyone.
• It must have in the heart of the system, the good of humanity and the good of every human being.
• It must be aware of the complex reality of our ecosystem and be characterized by the way it cares for and protects the planet with an extremely sustainable approach.

Technology based on artificial intelligence should never be used to exploit people in any way, especially those who are most vulnerable. Instead, it should be used to help people develop their skills and support the planet.

Education

Transforming the world through the innovation of artificial intelligence means that we are committed to building a future for the younger generations, together with them. This commitment means a lot of work to improve the quality of education that young people receive. This should be provided by methods that are accessible to all, non-discriminatory and that can offer equal opportunities. Universal access to education must be achieved through principles of solidarity and justice.

Access to lifelong learning must also be guaranteed for seniors, who must have access to mainly offline services during the digital and technological transition. In addition, these technologies can be extremely useful in helping people with disabilities learn and become more independent.

As we design and plan for tomorrow's society, the use of artificial intelligence must follow forms of action that are socially oriented, creative, connecting, productive, responsible and able to have a positive impact on the personal and social life of the younger generations. The social and moral impact of artificial intelligence must also be at the heart of artificial intelligence educational activities.

Rights

The development and implementation of artificial intelligence systems as a service to humanity and the planet must be reflected in regulations and principles that protect people - especially the weak and disadvantaged - and of course the environment. This development should go hand in hand with strong digital security measures that should be emerging soon.

For artificial intelligence to function properly as a tool for the good of humanity and the planet, we must raise the issue of human rights protection in the digital age at the heart of public debate. It is time to ask ourselves whether new forms of automation and algorithms require the development of stronger responsibilities.

In particular, it will be important to consider some form of "explanation task": where we need to understand not only the decision-making criteria of artificial intelligence models but also their intentions and purposes. These models will must be able to provide individuals with information about the logic behind the algorithms used to make decisions. This will increase transparency, traceability and accountability, making the use of this model more valid.

To achieve these goals, we must start from the beginning of the development of each algorithm with an "algorithmic" vision, that is, an approach to design ethics. The design and programming of artificial intelligence systems that we can trust includes consensus among politicians, UN agencies as well as other intergovernmental organizations, researchers and academics, and representatives of non-governmental organizations on the ethical principles to be adhered to technologies.

For this reason, the Vatican and the city of Rome, through the "Rome Call for AI Ethics" express their desire to work together, nationally and internationally to promote "algorithmic ethics", ie the ethical use of artificial intelligence as defined by the following principles:

• Transparency: In principle, artificial intelligence systems must be explicable.
• Inclusion: The needs of all people must be taken into account, so that everyone can benefit and all people can be offered the best possible conditions to express themselves and grow.
• Responsibility: Those who plan and develop the use of artificial intelligence must do so responsibly and with full transparency.
• Impartiality: Not to create or act according to prejudice, thus protecting justice and human dignity.
• Reliability: Artificial Intelligence systems must be able to operate reliably.
• Security and privacy: Artificial Intelligence systems must operate securely and respect users' privacy.

All the above principles are the basic elements for any good and correct innovation.

The technology of artificial intelligence now holds a lot of the technological applications nowadays and in the coming years will make its appearance in all other industries. So it is very important to be able to control this technology and work with it for a better humanity, for a better future. Because the prospects for artificial intelligence are huge, as are its dangers.