The Pope’s AI Advisor Warns of ‘Cartel’ Behavior Among Big Labs

Paolo Benanti, an advisor to the Vatican on artificial intelligence, has cautioned that the current focus on existential risks posed by AI is distracting from more immediate concerns. In an interview with WIRED, Benanti argued that the concentration of power among a few major technology companies risks creating 'cartel-like' behavior, which could stifle competition and limit public oversight. He emphasized that the global community must shift its attention toward establishing robust regulatory frameworks to govern how these technologies are developed and deployed. Benanti suggests that the narrative surrounding 'godlike' AI often serves as a smokescreen, preventing necessary democratic debate about the socio-economic impacts of automation and corporate control. By prioritizing transparency and accountability, he believes policymakers can ensure that AI development serves the common good rather than merely consolidating influence within a small group of industry giants.