Carney discussed artificial intelligence with Pope Leo

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney told Pope Leo XIV on Friday that Canada wants to take a leadership role in the responsible development of artificial intelligence.

The conversation happened days after the Pope called for robust regulation of AI.

“They discussed the imperative that AI must serve humanity, beginning with the protection of the individual,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a release.

“Prime Minister Carney expressed Canada’s desire to lead internationally on responsible AI and tools to benefit the global community.”

Earlier this week Pope Leo issued his first encyclical, which is one of the most authoritative types of teaching documents a pontiff can issue.

He called for AI developers to work for the common good rather than profit. Leo denounced the “culture of power” driving the AI race, especially the development of ever more sophisticated methods of remote warfare, and declared that it was “not permissible” to entrust irreversible, lethal decisions to AI systems.

The readout says Carney welcomed the Pope’s leadership on the issue.

Carney said Wednesday the federal government will release its long-awaited national AI strategy next week.

That policy has been delayed amid increasing public concern about the social impacts and safety of the technology.

The government at first signalled an adoption-focused approach to AI, while critics said Ottawa was leaning too much on advice from industry and the tech sector.

The public conversation around AI has since shifted to focus more on concerns about safety and the social effects of the technology. Canada also has strengthened relationships with other middle powers that are more pro-regulation than the United States.

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon said recently that Canada must strike a balance between AI cheerleaders and those who are completely opposed to the technology.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2026.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press