Pope Leo to Students: Don’t Ask AI to Do Your Homework

On Friday (November 21, 2025), the head of the Catholic church, 70, spoke to young people during a virtual appearance at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis about the limitations of artificial intelligence.

“AI can process information quickly, but it cannot replace human intelligence and don’t ask it to do your homework for you. It cannot offer real wisdom,” he said. “It misses a very important human element. AI will not judge between what is truly right and wrong. And it won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.”

The pope also said AI is becoming “one of the defining features of our time.”

“Safety is not only about rules, it’s about education and it’s about personal responsibility,” he continued. “Filters and guidelines can help you, but they cannot make choices for you. Only you can do that. These years of your life are meant to help you grow to mature adults, spiritually this means deepening your friendship with God and becoming more like him.”

He also expressed the importance of young people learning to think more critically, as well as “to examine reality, to search for truth, beauty and goodness.”

“Using AI responsibly means using it in ways that help you grow, never in ways that distract you from your dignity or your call to holiness,” he added. “In your education, make the most of this time.”