The G7 summit in Italy on Friday witnessed a historic moment as Pope Francis joined to discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence (AI). On the other hand, G7 leaders committed to addressing what they describe as unfair commercial practices by China.
Pope Francis Attends the G7 Summit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the summit's host, extended invitations to the pope and other notable leaders, in an attempt to convey that the G7 is not an exclusive Western club.
Pope Francis, who arrived in a wheelchair and was warmly welcomed by leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden and Argentina's President Javier Milei, highlighted the mixed feelings surrounding AI.
He noted that while AI has the potential to excite and expand access to knowledge, it also risks deepening inequalities between advanced and developing nations.
G7 Summit Addresses China's Commerce Practices
The G7 nations initially concentrated on China's economic power and what they view as imbalanced markets in areas like electric vehicles, steel, and renewable energy.
Their joint statement clarified that the G7's actions are not aimed at harming China or obstructing its economic progress but are intended to safeguard their businesses from unfair practices and address ongoing damages.
Additionally, the G7 cautioned against potential measures against Chinese financial institutions that assist Russia in acquiring weapons for its conflict with Ukraine. The core members of G7 are the US, Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan.
Join the Conversation