29th Session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development

Mr. Chair,

My Delegation would like to thank the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) for organizing this year’s discussion on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

AI has accelerated progress in STI, particularly in the field of scientific research. However, this is not merely a technical endeavour. In fact, scientific research and related discoveries are above all an expression of human intelligence and creativity, and they contribute to humanity’s vocation to care for the creation. Along these lines, STI must always serve the human person and the common good. Furthermore, scientists must dedicate their research to the service of humanity, while fully respecting moral principles and values in order to preserve the God-given dignity of every human person.[1]

The Report under consideration[2] highlights several timely ethical concerns, including scientific fraud, data privacy, and the risk of deskilling.

Delegating critical decision-making processes in scientific activities to AI systems is also a cause for deep concern, particularly in sensitive areas such as medicine, health and bioethics. While AI can assist healthcare professionals with tasks such as pattern recognition, risk stratification and decision support,[3] “decisions regarding patient treatment and the weight of responsibility they entail must always remain with the human person and should never be delegated to AI”.[4]

AI requires proper ethical management and regulatory frameworks centred on the human person, rather than mere criteria of utility or efficiency.[5] In this respect, Pope Leo XIV emphasizes the need for coordinated local and global governance of AI, based on the shared recognition of the inherent dignity of the human person.[6] Such frameworks should ensure that AI promotes genuine progress, and that all legal entities involved in the ‘AI life cycle’ are held accountable for its use and consequences.[7]

Mr. Chair,

In line with the principle of subsidiarity, it is essential to establish and implement adequate safeguards and to foster collaboration among stakeholders. Indeed, “the concentration of power over mainstream AI applications in the hands of a few powerful companies raises significant ethical concerns”.[8] Moreover, human oversight must be guaranteed in order to ensure the responsible use of AI and effective accountability. Finally, global AI capacity-building should aim to close persistent digital divides, by enabling developing countries to participate fully in scientific progress.

Mr. Chair,

Despite the growing international recognition of the need for robust and ethical AI governance, existing initiatives remain fragmented and often aspirational. It is imperative that that scientific progress maintains a genuinely human-centred approach, while safeguarding human values, initiative, decision-making capacity and accountability.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.