Rome Call for AI EthicRome Call for AI Ethic

The Rome Call for AI Ethics is a document signed
for the first time on February 28th 2020, in Rome, topromote an ethical approach to artificial intelligence.
The idea behind it is to promote a sense of shared
responsibility among international organizations,governments, institutions and technology companies inan effort to create a future in which digital innovationand technological progress grant man his centrality.
Pointing to a new algorethics, the signatories committed
to request the development of an artificial intelligencethat serves every person and humanity as a whole; thatrespects the dignity of the human person, so that every
individual can benefit from the advances of technology;
and that does not have as its sole goal greater profit or
the gradual replacement of people in the workplace.

The First Signatories
Archbishop VINCENZO PAGLIA
President of the Pontifical Academy for Life

DR. BRAD SMITH
President of Microsoft

DR. JOHN KELLY III
IBM Executive Vice President

DR. DONGYU QUFAO Director-General Minister

DR. PAOLA PISANO
Italian Minister of Innovation

Rome Call for AI Ethic

Introduction“Artificial intelligence” (AI) is bringing about profoundchanges in the lives of human beings, and it will continue
to do so. AI offers enormous potential when it comesto improving social coexistence and personal wellbeing, augmenting human capabilities and enabling or
facilitating many tasks that can be carried out more
efficiently and effectively. However, these results are
by no means guaranteed. The transformations currently
underway are not just quantitative. Above all, they arequalitative, because they affect the way these tasks arecarried out and the way in which we perceive reality andhuman nature itself, so much so that they can influence
our mental and interpersonal habits. New technology
must be researched and produced in accordance with
criteria that ensure it truly serves the entire “humanfamily” (Preamble, Univ. Dec. Human Rights), respecting
the inherent dignity of each of its members and all
natural environments, and taking into account theneeds of those who are most vulnerable. The aim is
not only to ensure that no one is excluded, but also toexpand those areas of freedom that could be threatenedby algorithmic conditioning.
Given the innovative and complex nature of thequestions posed by digital transformation, it is essential
for all the stakeholders involved to work together andfor all the needs affected by AI to be represented. This
Call is a step forward with a view to growing with acommon understanding and searching for a language
and solutions we can share. Based on this, we canacknowledge and accept responsibilities that take into
account the entire process of technological innovation,from design through to distribution and use, encouraging
real commitment in a range of practical scenarios.

Rome Call for AI Ethic

In the long term, the values and principles that we areable to instill in AI will help to establish a frameworkthat regulates and acts as a point of reference for
digital ethics, guiding our actions and promoting the useof technology to benefit humanity and the environment.
Now more than ever, we must guarantee an outlook
in which AI is developed with a focus not on technology,
but rather for the good of humanity and of theenvironment, of our common and shared home and of
its human inhabitants, who are inextricably connected.
In other words, a vision in which human beings andnature are at the heart of how digital innovation isdeveloped, supported rather than gradually replaced bytechnologies that behave like rational actors but are in
no way human. It is time to begin preparing for more
technological future in which machines will have a more
important role in the lives of human beings, but also afuture in which it is clear that technological progressaffirms the brilliance of the human race and remains
dependent on its ethical integrity.

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All human beings are born free and equal in dignity
and rights. They are endowed with reason andconscience and should act towards one another in a
spirit of fellowship (cf. Art. 1, Univ. Dec. Human Rights).
This fundamental condition of freedom and dignity mustalso be protected and guaranteed when producing andusing AI systems. This must be done by safeguarding
the rights and the freedom of individuals so that they
are not discriminated against by algorithms due to their“race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or otherstatus” (Art. 2, Univ. Dec. Human Rights).
AI systems must be conceived, designed andimplemented to serve and protect human beings andthe environment in which they live. This fundamental
outlook must translate into a commitment to create
living conditions (both social and personal) that allow
both groups and individual members to strive to fully
express themselves where possible.

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In order for technological advancement to align withtrue progress for the human race and respect for theplanet, it must meet three requirements. It must include
every human being, discriminating against no one; itmust have the good of humankind and the good of every
human being at its heart; finally, it must be mindful of thecomplex reality of our ecosystem and be characterized by
the way in which it cares for and protects the planet (our“common and shared home”) with a highly sustainableapproach, which also includes the use of artificial
intelligence in ensuring sustainable food systems in thefuture. Furthermore, each person must be aware when
he or she is interacting with a machine.
AI-based technology must never be used to exploit
people in any way, especially those who are mostvulnerable. Instead, it must be used to help people
develop their abilities (empowerment/enablement) andto support the planet.

Rome Call for AI Ethic

Education
Transforming the world through the innovation of AI
means undertaking to build a future for and with youngergenerations. This undertaking must be reflected in acommitment to education, developing specific curriculathat span different disciplines in the humanities, scienceand technology, and taking responsibility for educating
younger generations. This commitment means working
to improve the quality of education that young people
receive; this must be delivered via methods that areaccessible to all, that do not discriminate and that canoffer equality of opportunity and treatment. Universal
access to education must be achieved through principles
of solidarity and fairness.
Access to lifelong learning must be guaranteed also
for the elderly, who must be offered the opportunity
to access off-line services during the digital andtechnological transition. Moreover, these technologies
can prove enormously useful in helping people withdisabilities to learn and become more independent:
inclusive education therefore also means using AI
to support and integrate each and every person,offering help and opportunities for social participation(e.g. remote working for those with limited mobility,technological support for those with cognitive
disabilities, etc.).
The impact of the transformations brought about by
AI in society, work and education has made it essential
to overhaul school curricula in order to make theeducational motto “no one left behind” a reality. In
the education sector, reforms are needed in order toestablish high and objective standards that can improveindividual results. These standards should not belimited to the development of digital skills but should

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focus instead on making sure that each person can fully
express their capabilities and on working for the good of
the community, even when there is no personal benefit
to be gained from this.
As we design and plan for the society of tomorrow,the use of AI must follow forms of action that aresocially oriented, creative, connective, productive,responsible, and capable of having a positive impact on
the personal and social life of younger generations. The
social and ethical impact of AI must be also at the coreof educational activities of AI.
The main aim of this education must be to raiseawareness of the opportunities and also the possible
critical issues posed by AI from the perspective ofsocial inclusion and individual respect.

Rome Call for AI EthicRights
The development of AI in the service of humankind
and the planet must be reflected in regulations andprinciples that protect people – particularly the weak
and the underprivileged – and natural environments.
The ethical commitment of all the stakeholders involved
is a crucial starting point; to make this future a reality,values, principles, and in some cases, legal regulations,are absolutely indispensable in order to support,structure and guide this process.
To develop and implement AI systems that benefit
humanity and the planet while acting as tools to build andmaintain international peace, the development of AI mustgo hand in hand with robust digital security measures.
In order for AI to act as a tool for the good of humanity
and the planet, we must put the topic of protecting humanrights in the digital era at the heart of public debate.
The time has come to question whether new forms ofautomation and algorithmic activity necessitate thedevelopment of stronger responsibilities. In particular,
it will be essential to consider some form of “duty ofexplanation”: we must think about making not only thedecision-making criteria of AI-based algorithmic agents
understandable, but also their purpose and objectives.
These devices must be able to offer individuals
information on the logic behind the algorithms usedto make decisions. This will increase transparency,
traceability and responsibility, making the computeraided decision-making process more valid.
New forms of regulation must be encouraged topromote transparency and compliance with ethicalprinciples, especially for advanced technologies thathave a higher risk of impacting human rights, such as
facial recognition.

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To achieve these objectives, we must set out fromthe very beginning of each algorithm’s developmentwith an “algor-ethical” vision, i.e. an approach ofethics by design. Designing and planning AI systems
that we can trust involves seeking a consensus among
political decision-makers, UN system agencies and otherintergovernmental organizations, researchers, the worldof academia and representatives of non-governmentalorganizations regarding the ethical principles that should
be built into these technologies. For this reason, thesponsors of the call express their desire to work together,in this context and at a national and international level,to promote “algor-ethics”, namely the ethical use of AI as
defined by the following principles:• Transparency: in principle, AI systems must be explainable;• Inclusion: the needs of all human beings must be
taken into consideration so that everyone can benefit
and all individuals can be offered the best possible
conditions to express themselves and develop;• Responsibility: those who design and deploy theuse of AI must proceed with responsibility andtransparency;• Impartiality: do not create or act according to bias,
thus safeguarding fairness and human dignity;• Reliability: AI systems must be able to work reliably;• Security and privacy: AI systems must work securely
and respect the privacy of users.
These principles are fundamental
elements of good innovation

Rome Call for AI Ethic

6ethicalprinciples.1 Transparency
AI systems must be
understandable to all.

.3 Responsibility
there must always besomeone who takes
responsibility for what amachine does.

.5 Reliability
AI must be reliable.

.2 Inclusion
these system must notdiscriminate against anyone
because every human being
has equal dignity.

.4 Impartiality
AI systems must not follow orcreate biases.

.6 Security and privacy
These systems must be
secure and respect theprivacy of users.

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If you want to support the Rome Call for AI Ethics you can• sign it as an organization or as an individual (endorser) at
romecall.org/join-us• make a donation to the RenAIssance Foundation to help build
a future with humans at its center at
www.romecall.org/renaissance-foundation/

For further info:
RenAIssance Foundation
c/o Pontifical Academy for Life
00120 Vatican City
www.romecall.org
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