01/23/2018, 13.04
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Pope: The economy and even robots must be at the service of the person

In a message to the Davos Forum, Francis asks actors to try to achieve a just and inclusive society. " Even the most recent technologies are transforming economic models and the globalized world itself, which, conditioned by private interests and an ambition for profit at all costs, seem to favour further fragmentation and individualism, rather than to facilitate approaches that are more inclusive" .

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The human person and his rights must be at the center of the economy and also of robotics to achieve a just and inclusive society. This is the warning that Pope Francis addressed to world leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual meeting on the world economy.

In a message to the president of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, the Pope writes that the theme chosen this year, "Creating a shared future in a fragmented world", is very timely. "I trust – he writes - that it will assist in guiding your deliberations as you seek better foundations for building inclusive, just and supportive societies, capable of restoring dignity to those who live with great uncertainty and who are unable to dream of a better world".

"At the level of global governance, we are increasingly aware that there is a growing fragmentation between States and Institutions.  New actors are emerging, as well as new economic competition and regional trade agreements.  Even the most recent technologies are transforming economic models and the globalized world itself, which, conditioned by private interests and an ambition for profit at all costs, seem to favour further fragmentation and individualism, rather than to facilitate approaches that are more inclusive". And " The recurring financial instabilities have brought new problems and serious challenges that governments must confront, such as the growth of unemployment, the increase in various forms of poverty, the widening of the socio-economic gap and new forms of slavery, often rooted in situations of conflict, migration and various social problems.  “Together with this, we encounter certain rather selfish lifestyles, marked by an opulence which is no longer sustainable and frequently indifferent to the world around us, and especially to the poorest of the poor.  To our dismay we see technical and economic questions dominating political debate, to the detriment of genuine concern for human beings".

"In this context, it is vital to safeguard the dignity of the human person, in particular by offering to all people real opportunities for integral human development and by implementing economic policies that favour the family".

"Only through a firm resolve shared by all economic actors may we hope to give a new direction to the destiny of our world.  So too artificial intelligence, robotics and other technological innovations must be so employed that they contribute to the service of humanity and to the protection of our common home, rather than to the contrary, as some assessments unfortunately foresee".

The Pope then affirms that we can not remain silent in the face of the suffering of millions of people " whose dignity is wounded" and that it is "It is a moral imperative, a responsibility that involves everyone, to create the right conditions to allow each person to live in a dignified manner”.  “By rejecting a “throwaway” culture and a mentality of indifference, the entrepreneurial world has enormous potential to effect substantial change by increasing the quality of productivity, creating new jobs, respecting labour laws, fighting against public and private corruption and promoting social justice, together with the fair and equitable sharing of profits".

“There is a grave responsibility to exercise wise discernment, for the decisions made will be decisive for shaping the world of tomorrow and that of future generations.  Thus, if we want a more secure future, one that encourages the prosperity of all, then it is necessary to keep the compass continually oriented towards “true North”, represented by authentic values.  Now is the time to take courageous and bold steps for our beloved planet.  This is the right moment to put into action our responsibility to contribute to the development of humanity ".

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